UFC Fight Night: Dustin Poirier v Dan Hooker Odds

It's a big lightweight clash this Saturday evening, with 3rd ranked Dustin Poirier taking on 5th ranked Dan Hooker.

This will be the Diamond's first fight back since his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov back in September, a night where his unbeaten streak of six came to a crashing end. It was a dominating performance from the champion, who outworked and outwrestled the underdog Poirier.

One of Louisiana's finest is prepared to get back on track though, and he is met by one of the most exciting fighters in the division in Hooker. The Hangman is coming off a controversial, split decision win over Paul Felder back in February, and he will enter the Octagon on a three fight winning streak.

This bout has a 'Fight of the Year' contender feel to it and it will no doubt blow the roof off the APEX this weekend.

Poirier's label as the outright favourite won't come as a surprise. He is coming off the back of a title fight against the 2nd ranked pound for pound fighter in the entire organisation.

Betfair have given the Diamond a price of 4/9 to win on Saturday night, with Hooker being granted the underdog status at 7/4. Such odds are certainly influenced by either fighter's most recent run of opponents - Poirier has fought back-to-back title holders, including two former champions in Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje just prior.

As mentioned, Hooker is no doubt one of the most exciting fighters in the division, but his last win didn't come without controversy. Many had Felder winning their bout three rounds to two, with the Hangman slowly fading in the Championship rounds.

The 30-year-old is really elevating levels with this upcoming bout, and his relatively big price of 7/4 is justified.

Poirier can no doubt be classed as one of the most polished strikers in not just the division, but the UFC as a whole.

His head movement and boxing ability has been showcased in recent times, most notably through the back-to-back finishes of Alvarez and Gaethje. The 31-year-old possesses serious power in his jabs, but its his combinations that do the job.

Against Felder, we saw Hooker maintain the distance well, but he was suspect to getting caught in the latter rounds. There was significant swelling around his jaw and cheek, and we could even question whether he has fully recovered in the space of these four months.

At EVENS, we expect Poirier to win via TKO/KO to be a popular punt, even with Hooker's 'granite' chin.

Hooker comes in at 4/1 to win by such a method, but it's one that can't be completely ruled out. To pardon the pun, his left hook is significantly dangerous, and the Diamond will need to be wary when he's coming in and out of range.

We alluded to Hooker's notorious chin just above, and perhaps the decision market is worth taking note on, in the light of such a factor.

The Hangman is capable of taking significant damage, so bettors may like the look of Poirer at 4/1 to win on points. This was how the Daimond's last victory came - a unanimous decision over Max Holloway. Both men stood and traded, with the former utilising his boxing to pick a-part the former Featherweight champ. He can be so strategic with his striking, and he will likely adopt such a pragmatic game-plan, come Saturday.

Hooker's odds via decision are 13/2, meaning the bookmaker's prefer his chances of a knockout. As mentioned, he did fade against Felder, in what was his first-ever experience inside the championship rounds.

Going the distance is likely to favour Poirier's chances.