5 best Dustin Poirier performances in the UFC

#4. Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje

Dustin Poirier took on Justin Gaethje in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Glendale, Arizona in 2018.

Justin Gaethje has developed a reputation for being - as Joe Rogan puts it - the most violent man in the most violent sport. Gaethje and Poirier were among the top 5 fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division, with both fighters looking to edge closer to a title shot.

The bout that ensued was an instant classic as the two Americans went to war for 4 rounds before Poirier ultimately finished Gaethje. ‘The Diamond’ was severely hampered by the powerful calf kicks that Gaethje was throwing.

He showed incredible heart and toughness to power through the crippling calf-kicks and knocked out ‘The Highlight’ in one of the most memorable fights in the history of the lightweight division.

This was the fight that solidified Poirier's status as one of the elite lightweights in the world. To outlast and outclass Justinn Gaethje in the manner that he did was a huge feather in his cap and he established himself as a championship-caliber fighter.

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#3. Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker

Dustin Poirier took a 9-month lay-off following his unsuccessful shot at the UFC lightweight title against then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in 2019. He returned to action in 2020 against Dan Hooker.

The consensus going into the bout was that it would deliver a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender, and it did not disappoint. The second round in particular was undoubtedly one of the best rounds of the year.

Dan Hooker outstruck Dustin Poirier in the first two rounds of the fight, damaging ‘The Diamond’ towards the end of the second round with some vicious hooks to the head. However, Poirier came back strong and dominated the next three rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory.

The judges scored the contest 48-47, 48-47 and 48-46 in favor of Poirier. The incredible fight expectedly made the shortlist for the ‘Fight of the Year’ contenders for 2020, but ultimately lost out to the women's strawweight title fight between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248.

Dustin Poirier moved back into title contention with the win over Hooker. He was set to take on Tony Ferguson at UFC 254, but the fight got scrapped following a financial disagreement between ‘El Cucuy’ and the UFC. Poirier’s next bout would be a rematch against Irish superstar Conor McGregor instead.

Watch the full fight below: