The UFC on ESPN 12 main event did not disappoint. The fight billed as “fan friendly” was just that and more. Explosive. Mesmerizing. At times surprising. And one hell of a lot of fun.
Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker battled it out from the opening bell, pulling out all the stops. Both men ate heavy blows. Both men had their limits tested. And by the time the fifth and final round rolled around, it was still anyone’s fight.
Hooker might have claimed the opening rounds. Poirier had come on strong as the fight progressed. But by the end of the fifth frame, it was clear that the former interim lightweight champ was in the driver’s seat. He had Hooker down, peppering him with short punches as the final bell sounded. When it did, it was Poirier walking away with his arms raised. Hooker appeared to know that he had let the victory slip through his fingers.
Not that there were any actual losers in this one. Score it for the fans, 50-45. Once again, in an empty arena in the midst of a raging pandemic, the UFC managed to put on a surprisingly compelling fight.
Kamaru Usman loved it. Even boxing legend Evander Holyfield was impressed. See how he, and a host of professionals from the MMA world, reacted to the UFC on ESPN 12 main event below!
#ufcvegas4 holy sh%t this fight is incredible! #fotn maybe year
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) June 28, 2020
This is the Best Fight of all Time
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) June 28, 2020
Warriors!!
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) June 28, 2020
This fight is nuts! Cmon 💎! #UFCFightNight
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) June 28, 2020
If you’re a judge, how the heck do you score this?! #UFCVegas4 #TheWeeklyScraps! ☝🏾
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 28, 2020
This is fight of the year @DustinPoirier vs. @danthehangman @ufc
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) June 28, 2020
Ride or die @danthehangman #UFCVegas4
— QuakeRiddell (@bradquakeriddel) June 28, 2020
If you want to finish one of these guys, you better have a bat! @ufc #UFCVegas4
— Jordan Rinaldi (@JordanRinaldi) June 28, 2020
Let them BANG!!!!! @ufc
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) June 28, 2020
Poirier cardio lookin amazing
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 28, 2020
Fight of the year contender #UFCVegas4
— Gillian Robertson (@savage_ufc) June 28, 2020
Is anyone gonna block a punch? #UFCVegas4
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) June 28, 2020
I would come out of retirement for either one of these guys
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) June 28, 2020
Hate to be a judge
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 28, 2020
2-2 going into the 4th I think(but who really knows). The fifth wins it
— Lumberjack Ben (@Benaskren) June 28, 2020
Best fight of the year! Having a blast . I hope the judges are watching. @UFC #UFCVegas
— Mark Coleman (@Markcolemanmma) June 28, 2020
Who else is watching this?
What a battle 🥊 @ufc— Evander Holyfield (@holyfield) June 28, 2020
3-2 Dustin
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) June 28, 2020
Great fight from both guys congrats @DustinPoirier
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) June 28, 2020
Wait wait do we have to score this fight. Can we just score it amazing https://t.co/GPZUbMZhBN
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) June 28, 2020
What a fight 👊🏿👊🏿 #UFCVegas4
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) June 28, 2020
Amazing fight! Congrats to @DustinPoirier #ufc
— Lyman Good (@lymangoodmma) June 28, 2020
Holy Fuck #UFCVegas4
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) June 28, 2020
What an amazing performance from both guys! It’s tough to lose after an effort like that, but the fans won & we have another classic from both these warriors. Hooker will be back, but for now heal up & get back in 155 gauntlet. Congrats to the 💎!! #UFCVegas4 #TheWeeklyScraps!☝🏾
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 28, 2020
