UFC: Dustin Poirier edges Dan Hooker in violent fight of the year contender and declares ‘I’m the champ’

Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier proved he still belongs at the top with a unanimous decision win in an epic main event at UFC Vegas 4.

There were questions surrounding “The Diamond”, who was coming back from hip surgery after his emotional defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 244 last September. But the 31-year-old showed class is permanent as he emerged as a bona fide lightweight contender, with judges’ scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 48-46 after five violent, back-and-forth rounds of an instant classic that was the undoubted fight of the year.

“It was a tough one, man,” Poirier told Jon Anik in his post-fight interview. “Dan came to fight. He was talking a lot of s***, saying he was on the rise and thought he was gonna move forward, but I'm the f****** champ, man. I love this, I trust my team, my skill and worth ethic. I had a few more rounds after that.”

It was heartbreak for the fifth-ranked Hooker (20-9) of New Zealand in his second straight main event, but No 3-ranked Poirier’s (26-6, one no contest) big-fight experience showed – this was his eighth main event.

“The only time I was hurt was when Dan got me against the fence and slid a knee,” Poirier added. “It's impressive how he lifts them up the hips, I’m not sure if he telegraphed it. I kind of flashed out for a bit ... but I came back stronger. A fight isn't a fight unless there's something to overcome.