UFC 164 results: Dustin Poirier scores decision win over Erik Koch

Many pegged the UFC 164 PPV opening bout between Dustin Poirier and Erik Koch as a potential fight of the night winner, and it didn't disappoint. After a frenetic first round that saw both men nearly finish the fight, Poirier controlled the second, while Koch got the third. Poirier's damage in the first was enough to take a unanimous decision though, and two judges even gave him a 10-8 first despite almost tapping to a triangle. The scores were 29-28, 29-27, and 29-27 for the Louisiana native.

Both men were throwing kicks right from the start. Kock slipped and Poirier  took advantage, attacking with punches. Kock locked up a nice triangle though, and had Poirier trapped. Poirier almost went out but managed to escape. Koch went for it once again, but Poirer bailed and they returned to the feet. They clinched up for a while and exchanged knees. Poirier clubbed Koch with a right that dropped him. He went in for the kill and opened up with shots on the ground with a minute to go. Koch managed to get up, but was dragged back down. Poirier went for a D'Arce choke but couldn't get the finish before the horn.

Koch got back into his groove early in round two, catching Poirier with some counters and staying just out of range. Poirier scored with a left and got a takedown. He moved to mount and cracked Koch with some lefts. Koch powered his way back to the feet but was still stuck against the fence for a while. The last minute was uneventful.

Koch came out with some urgency but was still backing off, eating occasional lefts from Poirier. After an extended clinch battle, Koch got a takedown. He worked some ground and pound, but didn't have Poirier in any danger and couldn't pass his guard. Finally he got a hook and took his back with a little over a minute left. He tried valiantly for a choke but couldn't get it before the horn.