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The latest UFC Fight Night card is over now, and the main event of UFC Las Vegas 4 produced one of the best action fights in recent MMA history. Both Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker attacked each other with reckless abandon on Saturday night at UFC APEX, and there’s no doubt that the savage war will go down in history as one of the top fights ever.
In the end, Poirier’s grit and determination earned him the nod 48-47, 48-47, and 48-46 from the three judges at ringside.
Here are some of the most epic videos and awesome photos from what turned out to be an intense bloodbath of epic proportions.
Poirier vs. Hooker: Just Bleed Edition
First, we should have known something was up when Tony Ferguson christened the main event with the “Just Bleed Guy” from 1997’s UFC 15.
UFC Las Vegas 4 @DustinPoirier vs @danthehangman # HereWeGo ⚔️🕶 -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽
That or maybe someone told Poirier and Hooker what Ferguson had posted because the first round was a savage war and each round only seemed to get more brutal as the night wore on.
The “Just Bleed Guy” would have approved.
Bombs Away All Night Long
Did you miss the epic fight? Or maybe you just wanted to relive it?
I’m telling you these guys came out throwing bombs at each other from the beginning of the fight.
As if there was any doubt, @DustinPoirier and @danthehangman are throwing HEAT 🔥 #UFCVegas4
Both landed some savage blows. Poirier did his best work from boxing range, but Hooker’s longer strikes and devastating knees looked at times like they might fell the former interim champion.
These two are just bombing on each other 😳 #UFCVegas4
In fact, several prominent MMA journalists had Hooker winning the first two rounds of the fight.
‘The Diamond’ Came Through
But Poirier isn’t nicknamed “The Diamond” for no reason. This guy is a one-of-a-kind gem that can cut through just about any difficult situation.
On top of that, this dude just plains enjoys it.
Corner: We having fun?
Poirier: Having a blast, yeah!
@DustinPoirier is not real 😨 #UFCVegas4
By the end of the incredible action fight for the ages, the two combatants were ready to laud each other’s efforts.
What else could they do? Poirier-Hooker wasn’t just a Fight of the Year candidate. It was a Fight of the Decade candidate.
Ready for Round 6 😤 #UFCVegas4
Obviously, Poirier was extremely excited to win the fight. He’s now clearly established himself as the top lightweight contender in the world, and he might have just fought himself into a lucrative and important Conor McGregor rematch.
“He really thought that he was going to get past me… and fight the champ, but I’m the f—ing champ, man.”
@DustinPoirier‘s mentality is the same, belt or no belt 💎 #UFCVegas4
Both Fighters Taken to Hospital After Fight
According to ESPN, both Poirier and Hooker were taken to the hospital afterward. But Poirier still seemed hyped riding in the back of an ambulance.
The American seemed like he was hoping for another round or two of action maybe.
“Whew, that was a fun one.”
We feel the same way 🙌 #UFCVegas4 (via @DustinPoirier)
You can see Poirier riding like a king on top of his stretcher limo in the picture below.
25 minutes! Paid In Full
Hooker also shared a video message with his supporters after the fight. The fight said his massive cut on his eye requires stitches but that he’d be back inside the cage in no time.
Quick message for the people that support me. Credit to Poirier better man on the night, no regrets, no excuses. Minor setbacks ain’t a major for me. 😉 #teamhangman #rideordieonly
Poirier-Hooker: Fight of the Year?
No doubt, Poirier-Hooker earned Fight of the Night honors, so each fighter took home a bigger paycheck for their work over the weekend.
NO QUESTION.
(B2YB @ToyoTires) #UFCVegas4
Even better is that here’s a great chance it will earn Fight of the Year honors soon, too.
YOUR NEW FIGHT OF THE YEAR!? 🏆 #UFCVegas4
Even More Insane Photos
There were plenty of great action shots from UFC Fight Night.
The epic main event was a back-and-forth brawl that will go down in history as one of the best fights ever.
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