New Zealand’s Dan Hooker will travel to Las Vegas to take on former interim lightweight titleholder Dustin Poirier in what has been confirmed as the UFC on ESPN 12 main event.
The event will take place at the UFC Apex on June 28 (AEST) and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Poirier is the number 3 ranked contender in the UFC’s lightweight division. He has been out of action since losing to the undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov last September at UFC 242. The 31-year-old sports a 25-6 record and has defeated the likes of Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, and Anthony Pettis in the last few years.
City Kickboxing trained Dan Hooker has risen to number 5 in the lightweight division with wins against James Vick, Al Iaquinta, and most recently, a split-points decision against Paul Felder back in February. The 30-year-old has looked at home since moving from featherweight to lightweight back in 2017, losing just once in eight bouts.
“This is an important fight for both guys,” White told ESPN when announcing the fight.
“Obviously Poirier wants to get a shot at that title and if Hooker comes in and beats Poirier, he’s finally arrived. He is one of the top five guys in the world and on his way to a title fight.”
Main Card:
- Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker
- Mickey Gall vs. Mike Perry
- Brendan Allen vs. Ian Heinisch
- Maurice Greene vs. Gian Villante
- Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann
Preliminary Card:
- Viviane Araujo vs. Jennifer Maia
- Luis Pena vs. Khama Worthy
- Tanner Boser vs. Philipe Lins
- Alexa Grasso vs. Ji Yeon Kim
- Kyle Nelson vs. Sean Woodson
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