UFC Fight Night Odds – Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker
The main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker is the best matchup since the promotion’s reboot from the COVID-19 hysteria, and it has the potential to be the fight of the year. Violent lightweights Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier (25-6) and Dan “The Hangman” Hooker (20-8) square off in a five-round bout highlighting the five-fight main ticket from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Poirier had his six fight unbeaten streak stopped by Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title fracas last time out and looks to get aligned back atop the division. The No. 3 ranked contender is a big favorite at online sportsbooks to do that. Hooker put himself in a position to face the elite of the weight class and can join the select group with a victory on Saturday. Bookmaker is offering a generous welcome bonus with a maximum of $1000.
|
|
Check out odds for every fight on Saturday’s UFC card at BookMaker.eu and place your wager. Then catch all the action on ESPN with the prelims starting at 6 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET.
Dan Hooker +185
Dustin Poirier -238
Over 2.5 Rounds -154
Under 2.5 Rounds +123
Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker Fight Preview
This isn’t a title fight but it sure has all the makings of one. There is plenty at stake for both fighters as they look to remain top contenders with a win setting up a title fight down the line. A loss pushes a potential championship bout well into the future, if one comes at all.
Poirier (25-6, 12 KOs, 7 SUBs) had a shot at the strap last September but suffered a deflating loss to Nurmagomedov. His ascent up the lightweight ladder had many thinking Poirier was in position to hand The Eagle his first loss. It wasn’t to be.
The Diamond earned his title shot with impressive stoppage wins over Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez, then claimed the interim UFC lightweight championship with a unanimous decision over Max Holloway at UFC 236 in April 2019. Poirier had seemingly turned a corner in his style and his career. Known more as a puncher, he dominated a tough opponent in Gaethje by staying out of danger and fighting smart, repeating that style in his next two fights.
It seemed as though everything Poirier did to have success in his previous bouts was lost against Nurmagomedov. Poirier was passive letting the champ dictate the pace and flow. That’s not how you beat The Eagle and the result was as expected. Poirier was stopped with a third-round rear choke submission, losing the title unification bout and falling down the list of contenders.
The No. 5 ranked contender in the 155-pound class, Hooker (20-8, 10 KOs, 7 SUBs) enters on a three-match winning streak and has two fights under his belt since his opponent’s last trip to the octagon. I’m not sure if that will actually have any bearing on the outcome, but Hooker and the rest of the division have been able to put Poirier on the back burner for now.
A move up from featherweight a few years back seemed to turn Hooker’s career for the better. He split his first six UFC bouts and was treading water until back-to-back finishes of Ross Pearson and Marc Diakiese in 2017 turned things around. His pressure style worked in quick stoppage wins over Jim Miller and Gilbert Burns. It wasn’t successful against Edson Barboza, who delivered a beating.
Bouncing back with a trio of wins showed that Hooker can be a formidable opponent. James Vick couldn’t handle Hooker’s length, and neither could Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder. The latter two wins being the most impressive of Hooker’s UFC career.
Toning down the aggressive approach that got him slaughtered against Barboza, Hooker used his reach in a standup fight to claim three wins in a row. At six-feet he’s on the tall side for the division and will have an edge over Poirier. In order to pull off the upset Hooker has to connect on his punches and stay off the mat.
Bet Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker at BookMaker
The odds suggest Poirier should win this fight, and he probably will. But we don’t know how he’s going to perform after a long layoff and with a thorough beating from Nurmagomedov in his last outing. Poirier’s attacking style and relentless punching will eventually take a toll on Hooker, who loses the fight if he gets too defensive. Staying upright and using his length will give a Hooker a chance, but Poirier is his toughest opponent by far.
UFC Odds Pick: Dustin Poirier / TKO / 3rd Round
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.
- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
