There are times when hype can hurt a fight, because it creates unrealistic expectations. And then there's Saturday night, when Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker surpassed every expectation for the Fight Night main event at the Apex in Las Vegas.
It seemed like it could end at any moment because the shots were so violent, but both fighters endured for 25 minutes. Poirier earned the unanimous-decision win, but nobody was describing Hooker as a loser after both left plenty of blood and sweat in the Octagon.
Reaction on social media didn't wait until the fight was over as the fighters' peers were in awe from the first round, and the reaction wasn't limited to UFC fighters or the sporting world as entertainers paid their respect.
What a fight!!!! Dem boyz went at it but @DustinPoirier a dawg! Much luv to him and @BrendanAllenMMA for reppin Louisiana right!! #ufcvegas4!
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) June 28, 2020
That was an awesome fight. Good win for @DustinPoirier and @danthehangman definitely deserves a seat at the big dog table.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) June 28, 2020
Thank you champ https://t.co/koWNXmRqtG
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 28, 2020
Great🥇Fight, Well Done Gentlemen #ufcvegas4 ⚔️🕶 -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) June 28, 2020
The best fight in 2020 is coming out of the APEX @ufc #UFCVegas4
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2020
I don't know how to call it. We all won #UFCVegas4
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 28, 2020
@ufc is crazy tonight!!! #UFCVegas4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) June 28, 2020
I say you're not in a fight until there's something to overcome. So Dustin Poirier overcomes a 2-0 lead by Hooker to win a brutally tough fight. No shock; a 'Diamond' is made withstanding pressure. Congrats 👊 @DustinPoirier 💎 #UFC #ufcfightnight pic.twitter.com/TwvVuhy7my
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 28, 2020
Congratulations to the those guys! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #ufcvegas4
— Thiago Marreta (@TMarretaMMA) June 28, 2020
What an amazing performance from both guys! It's tough to lose after an effort like that, but the fans won & we have another classic from both these warriors. Hooker will be back, but for now heal up & get back in 155 gauntlet. Congrats to the 💎!! #UFCVegas4 #TheWeeklyScraps!☝🏾
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 28, 2020
Who else is watching this?
— Evander Holyfield (@holyfield) June 28, 2020
What a battle 🥊 @ufc
FOTY WITHOUT A DOUBT!! Wowwww 👏👏👏 They both better be getting bonuses after that performance!!
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) June 28, 2020
Great W for Dustin but man did Dan show how much heart he has!! Will not back down #UFCVegas4
Great fight! FOTY Probably. I think @DustinPoirier got it #UFCVegas4
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 28, 2020
Great job @DustinPoirier !!! Diamonds are forever. Lafayette's own. Parker's dad, great job my brother.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 28, 2020
Fights like this remind everybody this is the best sport on earth. Both of these guys should be proud. #UFCVegas4
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) June 28, 2020
Damn!! Let me rest bruh!!! https://t.co/RgP5aOV0Co
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 28, 2020