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UFC on ESPN: Poirier v Hooker
Sunday 28 June 2020
03:00 CAT
UFC APEX Facility, Las Vegas, Nevada
Dan Hooker will target a major scalp in the lightweight division when he faces Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC on ESPN: Poirier v Hooker at the UFC APEX Facility in Las Vegas on the morning of Sunday 28 June 2020.
The New Zealander (20-8-0) is ranked fifth and on three-fight win streak, with his latest victim being Paul Felder back in February. He believes a win over Poirier could earn him a shot at the division’s belt.
"I'll have wins over a number three in Poirier, Paul Felder who was six and Al Iaquinta who was six, which gives me a lot of confidence that I'll be in line for a title shot," 30-year-old Hooker explained. "When I beat Poirier, it puts me next in line and anyone that has a problem with that, they know whose number to call.”
Hooker added, "I know what [Poirier] brings to the table. He's incredibly durable, a strong boxer, strong wrestler, very well rounded and very comfortable in the main event slot. This will be his fifth or sixth main event, so he definitely has some more experience coming into the five rounders.”
Poirier (25-6-0, 1 NC) is a former Interim UFC Lightweight champion and the current number three ranked fighter in the division. He comes into the match off the back of a loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a battle for the undisputed championship in September last year.
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‘The Diamond’ will naturally be looking to have another title shot as soon as possible, but he’ll first need to get past his next opponent – someone he has a good measure of respect for.
“I think he’s [Hooker] a very patient fighter. He listens to his corner well... he’s very patient and strategic when he’s in there [the Octagon],” said Poirier. “So I’m expecting a very smart, intelligent fighter.
“He’s long, rangy, likes to stay on the outside, dangerous knees, a great guillotine... he does a few things very well, but I do everything well and I’m coming in there to win.”
Other fights on the main card include a showdown between Mike Perry and Mickey Gall in the welterweight division for the co-main event – with Gall confident he will win but admitting to being an admirer of his opponent: “He’s a fun fighter, he’s exciting, he always brings it. I’m looking forward to putting my kill stuff up against his kill stuff and see it where it ends up” – Kyle Daukaus stepping in on late notice to face Brendan Allen; Gian Villante taking on Maurice Greene in the heavyweight division; and Aspen Ladd taking on Sara McMann in the women’s bantamweight class.
UFC on ESPN: Poirier v Hooker – Main card
Main event: Lightweight: Dustin Poirier v Dan Hooker
Co-main: Welterweight: Mike Perry v Mickey Gall
Middleweight: Kyle Daukaus v Brendan Allen
Heavyweight: Gian Villante v Maurice Greene
Women’s Bantamweight: Aspen Ladd v Sara McMann
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