Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker clashed in the UFC’s final offering from the UFC Apex before the company switches over to Fight Island in 2 weeks’ time. The duo absolutely went for it and gave it their all in the small Octagon. The fight was an intense back and forth with MMA purists clearly wishing for more. At the end of the 5th, the fighters embraced in a show of mutual respect. However, despite fans claiming that mixed martial arts was the true winner, the judges didn’t seem to think so and handed a unanimous decision win to ‘The Diamond.’
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Numerous combat sports personalities expressed their admiration for the fight as well as the combatants.
Fighters react to the stunning Dustin Poirier-Dan Hooker main event
Midway through the fight, the 2nd ranked UFC Heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou tweeted, “The best fight in 2020 is coming out of the APEX (UFC).”
The best fight in 2020 is coming out of the APEX @ufc #UFCVegas4
Later, after 25 minutes of intensity, the delighted Ngannou congratulated the duo. He wrote, “Congratulations to these two savages for a terrific fight!!
Congratulations to these two savages for a terrific fight!! 🔥🔥🔥 #UFCVegas4
2nd ranked Lightweight fighter Tony Ferguson too had a close eye on this fight with major implications for his division. He tweeted, “GreatFight, Well Done Gentlemen -CSO-“
Great🥇Fight, Well Done Gentlemen #ufcvegas4 ⚔️🕶 -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽
Also, the man who ended Poirier’s 4 fight win streak last September congratulated him on a great fight. ‘The Eagle’ tweeted, “Congratulations (Dustin Poirier) great fight”
Congratulations @DustinPoirier great fight
Meanwhile, ‘The Diamond’s American Top Team teammate Jorge Masvidal called the fight in favor of his fellow gym member. He said, “Great fight! FOTY Probably. I think (Dustin Poirier) got it”
Great fight! FOTY Probably. I think @DustinPoirier got it #UFCVegas4
Meanwhile, former UFC 2 division Champion Henry Cejudo said, “It hurts my face watching this fight.” Later he echoed a sentiment of many fans as he remarked, “I don’t know how to call it. We all won”
It hurts my face watching this fight. #UFCVegas4
I don’t know how to call it. We all won #UFCVegas4
UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman reacted with, “What a fight”
What a fight 👊🏿👊🏿 #UFCVegas4
Another voice of praise came from Josh Emmett. The Featherweight fighter took on Shane Burgos in an equally impressive clash at the Apex just a week ago. He tweeted, “There’s something in the water at the Apex!”
There’s something in the water at the Apex! #UFCVegas4
Furthermore, UFC Featherweight fighter Megan Anderson called for both fighters to be shoo-ins for the Fight of the Night Bonus.
FOTY WITHOUT A DOUBT!! Wowwww 👏👏👏 They both better be getting bonuses after that performance!! Great W for Dustin but man did Dan show how much heart he has!! Will not back down #UFCVegas4
The praise wasn’t just limited among MMA fighters with former boxing champion Evander Holyfield weighing in on the fight. He tweeted, “Who else is watching this? What a battle”
Who else is watching this? What a battle 🥊 @ufc
What did you make of the spectacular main event to wrap up the first leg of events at the UFC Apex?