Free Fight! Hooker and Felder Go To War In New Zealand

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dan Hooker will look to earn his fourth straight win and insert himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight title picture this Sat. night (June 27, 2020) when he faces off against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC on ESPN 12 from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Before then, let’s take a trip down memory lane to see one of “The Hangman’s” best performances, a razor-thin split-decision win over fellow hard-hitting wrecking machine, Paul Felder.

The two men threw down earlier this year at UFC Fight Night 168 in Auckland, New Zealand, but the tension the two had before they went at it was very real, as they attacked each other verbally and on social media in the leadup to the fight.

As usual, Felder was the aggressor early on, stalking his opponent and pushing the pace throughout. Hooker, meanwhile, was content with playing the counter attack game, which he executed very well. For 25 minutes, both men gave it everything they had, with each having his shining moments throughout the all-out bloody slugfest.

In the end, Hooker walked away with a controversial split-decision win, as many felt “The Irish Dragon” had done enough to earn the nod in enemy territory. The fight proved to be Felder’s last, as he announced his retirement (maybe) from the fight game during his post-fight speech.

Hooker, meanwhile, is still chugging along and looking to earn some recognition as a legit contender for the 155-pound throne by taking out Poirier — the former interim champion — en route to moving to 7-1 overall in his last eight outings.

And after drawing the ire of fight fans for ridiculing UFC rookie Max Rohskopf for quitting on the stool at UFC on ESPN 11, “The Hangman” needs an impressive showing to perhaps get back on the good graces of his loyal followers.

For more on UFC on ESPN 12: “Poirier vs Hooker” click here.