UFC 299 Free Fight: Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker in ‘Fight of the Year’ Contender

Originally posted on FanNation MMA Knockout
By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated 2/26/24

One of the greatest fights in UFC history occurred in 2020.

Following a title unification loss to the unstoppable Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier found himself in yet another career fire-fight.

The former interim champion took on top contender Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Vegas 4 in the post-pandemic summer.

It was 'The Diamond' who shined bright on fight night as he battered and outworked Hooker over five rounds. But, don't get the wrong idea, 'The Hangman' did much more than hang in there.

Hooker brought the fight to the #1 contender and came very close to stopping Poirier with strikes, one time right before the sound of the bell.

Hooker proved to be one of Poirier's most difficult fights to date, a feat that speaks volumes considering Poirier's stacked resume: Justin Gaethje, Conor McGregor, and Khabib Nurmagomedov among many other elite fighters.

Poirier vs. Hooker proved to be a real-life rendition of 'Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots' and now you can watch the contenders swing for the fences for free, courtesy of the UFC.

The lightweight matchup was considered among 2020's greatest fights, arguably the best or second-best behind another all-time classic in Joanna Jedrzejcyzk vs. Zhang Weili at UFC 248.

Hooker would serve as the spring Dustin Poirier needed for a lucrative rematch vs. Conor McGregor, which happened several months later in 2021.

#3 ranked Poirier will fight down the ladder against #12 contender Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 on Mar. 9.

For Dan Hooker, the UFC veteran descended from the top 5 rankings and has gone 3-3 since his grueling war in Sin City. Hooker is currently ranked at #10 and is preparing to return as early as May.

This article first appeared on FanNation MMA Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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