Dan Hooker has mastered one skill in the UFC that has nothing to do with his techniques inside the cage. The fifth-ranked lightweight has become the master of the callout, and he used it to get Saturday’s bout against third-ranked Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker. Their bout tops the 11-fight showcase at the Apex facility, with the main UFC Fight Night card scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Hooker has used post-fight Octagon interviews and social media as platforms to ask for his next opponent, and he has developed a habit of getting his way.

The New Zealander said he intends to do so again in order to get a title shot after Saturday’s bout, but Poirier is determined to prove that Hooker’s desire to fight him was a mistake. Poirier is a -220 favorite (risk $220 to win $100), up from an open of -200, while Hooker is a +180 underdog in the latest Poirier vs. Hooker odds from William Hill. In the co-main event, Mike Perry (-300) takes on Mickey Gall (+250) in a matchup of middleweight prospects. Before locking in your UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker picks, make sure to see the UFC predictions from SportsLine MMA analyst Kyle Marley.

The accomplished MMA analyst has been on fire, as he has hit 11 consecutive main-event winners, which includes a streak of five straight underdogs. Last week, he told SportsLine members to expect a decisive win for Curtis Blaydes (-400) against Alexander Volkov (-320) in their heavyweight main event. Marley said that Blaydes, an accomplished wrestler, would use takedowns to maintain control of the fight. That’s exactly what happened, as he set the UFC heavyweight record for takedowns in a fight with 14 and rolled to a unanimous-decision victory. 

Marley also called a decision victory two weeks ago for Cynthia Calvillo (-110) against Jessica Eye (-110) in the women’s flyweight main event. Anyone who has consistently followed Marley’s UFC picks is way up.

Now, with UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker fast approaching, Marley has carefully studied every matchup on the card, identified the best value in the UFC odds and released his MMA picks for every fight. Those UFC picks are only available here. 

Poirier vs. Hooker preview

At age 31, Poirier (25-6-1) already has more than 10 years of service under the UFC banner and is widely considered one of the sport’s active icons. He already has shared the Octagon with the likes of Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and his resume includes a win over Justin Gaethje and a pair of victories against former featherweight champion Max Holloway.

The Lafayette, Louisiana native hasn’t fought since his third-round submission loss against Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in September of last year. Although the bout was mostly one-sided, Poirier put a rare scare into the undefeated Russian with an attempted guillotine choke that he eventually lost hold of. The champion won using the same method less than a minute later.

The defeat snapped a six-fight unbeaten streak for Poirier, who needs a win over the surging Hooker in order to maintain his position in the UFC rankings.

The 30-year-old Hooker (20-8) started his UFC career with a 3-3 mark against mid-tier competition. But he traded his reputation as a capable journeyman for one of a viable contender by winning seven of his next eight fights, with five coming by stoppage.

The New Zealander emerged with a split decision over No. 6-ranked Paul Felder, and his 2-0 mark in 2019 included a unanimous decision against the rugged Al Iaquinta, who is now ranked No. 9. You can see Marley’s full Poirier vs. Hooker picks here.

Top UFC Fight Night predictions for June 27

We’ll reveal one of Marley’s UFC Fight Night predictions here: He is backing Kay Hanson (-150) to earn a decision victory against Jinh Yu Frey (+130) in a women’s strawweight clash.

Hansen (6-3) is a 20-year-old prospect who has gained attention with a promising showing in the women’s-only Invicta FC promotion, where she has won three of her last four bouts. She is coming off a decision win against Liana Pirosin in January. 

Frey (9-4), 35, first garnered attention in the MMA world with her 2013 knockout of Darla Harris in the Sugar Creek Showdown promotion that often is regarded as one of the most brutal stoppages in women’s MMA history. She is similarly an Invicta FC alum whose last bout was a decision victory against Ashley Cummins in February. 

“Hanson is the better wrestler-grappler and will be the bigger, stronger fighter, so that should help her with takedowns,” Marley told SportsLine. “She will be able to wrestle enough to win at least two rounds.”

How to make UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker picks

Marley also has strong picks for Poirier vs. Hooker and every other bout on the UFC Fight Night card. He’s also backing one combatant who’s “the better fighter everywhere.” You can see those UFC fight card picks only at SportsLine. 

Who wins Poirier vs. Hooker? And how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card, all from the accomplished expert who’s up nearly $21,000 and has nailed 11 straight main events, and find out. 

UFC Fight Night odds (via William Hill US)

Dustin Poirier (-220) vs. Dan Hooker (+180)
Mike Perry (-300) vs. Mickey Gall (+250)
Maurice Greene (-215) vs. Gian Villante (+185)
Luis Pena (-270) vs. Khama Worthy (+230)
Jordan Griffin (-120) vs. Youssef Zalal (+100)
Takashi Soto (-155) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (+135)
Philipe Lins (-115) vs. Tanner Boser (-105)
Miranda Maverick (-290) vs. Mara Romero Borella (+245)
Sean Woodson (-240) vs. Kyle Nelson (+200)
Brendan Allen (-275) vs. Kyle Daukaus (+235)