For the second week in a row, there was zero debate as to who was taking home the Fight of the Night bonus in Las Vegas. UFC on ESPN 12 saw its main event booking pay out in full, in the form of a five-round war between Dustin Poirier (26-6, 1NC) and Dan Hooker (20-9).
The action kicked off from the opening bell, and never let up. It was instantly being referred to as a Fight of the Year contender, although, like Shane Burgos vs. Josh Emmett last week, it will face stiff competition from Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
No matter. The fight was wildly entertaining, leaving fans wanting to see more of both men. After a good long rest, of course (both Poirier and Hooker were transported to hospital for precautionary reasons following the bout).
NO QUESTION.
(B2YB @ToyoTires) #UFCVegas4 pic.twitter.com/xsE2zImQhs
— UFC (@ufc) June 28, 2020
As for the Performance of the Night bonuses, newcomer Kay Hansen (7-3) picked up one. The twenty-year old debutante submitted another debuting fighter and Invicta FC alum, Jinh Yu Frey, via arm-bar in the third round. A heck of an introduction for the young strawweight, especially given Frey is a former Invicta FC champ, at atomweight.
The other Performance of the Night bonus wound up in the hands of Julian Erosa (24-8). Rather than a debut, he was making his return to the UFC, having been cut last year. A win on the regional circuit, the a promotion in need of bodies willing to fight, paved the way for his homecoming. And he made the most of it with a D’Arce choke submission of Sean Woodson.
All four bonus winners will take home $50,000 USD for their efforts. As usual during the pandemic, there was no gate and no attendance at the UFC Apex.
