Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier RECAP: UFC 257 results as McGregor is knocked out
McGregor vs Poirier LIVE - Express Sport brings you live coverage of UFC 257: McGregor vs Poirier all the way from Fight Island.
Conor McGregor: UFC star’s career timeline
UFC 257: McGregor vs Poirier. The promotion's first pay-per-view card of 2021 marks the return of former two-division champion Conor McGregor, who locks horns with Dustin Poirier in a lightweight match-up.
- McGregor, 32, returned to the Octagon for the first time since beating Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 last January.
- The chief support fight of the evening saw ormer Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler make his UFC debut against Dan Hooker.
- McGregor suffered a shock defeat to Dustin Poirier in the second round
- It was his third loss in the sport and the first-ever by knockout.
That's a wrap....
This one will take a while to sink in. First of all, let's take nothing away from Dustin Poirier.
That was a devastating finish, testament to his boxing ability and incredible improvement since the first fight.
McGregor's leg was entirely dead before he was blown away by a barrage of punches. Credit where credit is due, that was spectacular.
As The Notorious rightly pointed out, his inactivity proved a major hindrance and there is no mercy in the lightweight division.
He has worked tirelessly in the build-up to this fight but will need to return to the drawing board before his next outing.
Now Poirier will be eying a rematch with Khabib if he can entice him out of retirement but the Michael Chandler fight could be the one to make following his explosive UFC debut.
That's all from Express Sport. Thanks for joining us...
RECAP THE ACTION BELOW
Poirier delighted with victory
“I think I showed a little bit of counter-boxing here,” said the American.
“I know Max Holloway thinks he has the best boxing, but I’ve got two wins over the kid. Nothing but respect to him, I’m a big fan, but I beat him twice and I felt like I was boxing pretty well with Conor.
"He hit me some good counter twos, we knew his timing on the counter-two was some of the best in the game but I just don’t give a f**k man. I’m here to win.”
This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 24, 2021
McGregor reacts to shock defeat
Conor McGregor makes excuse after being knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Conor McGregor was stopped by Dustin Poirier in the second round of their rematch at UFC 257.
Conor McGregor believes his inactivity was to blame as he suffered a shock defeat to Dustin Poirier on his return to the octagon. The Notorious was fighting back at lightweight against The Diamond, who avenged his 2014 defeat in stunning fashion.
McGregor started well but was soon feeling the effects of Poirier's devastating leg kicks.
After landing several accurate jabs in the opening round, McGregor was then given a taste of his own medicine as Poirier delivered a highlight-reel knockout.
The Notorious was rocked backward before Poirier pounced to leave his opponent helpless in the corner.
In true sporting fashion, a shocked McGregor praised the improvement of Poirier, who has come on leaps and bounds since the first clash before admitting his inactivity was a major hindrance.
He said: "You know, it's hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time, the leg kicks were good, the leg was dead.
"I just wasn't as comfortable as I needed to be. It's the inactivity and that's it, Dustin is some fighter.
"You're in here and you put in the time, I will dust it off and come back and that's what I will do.
Of course, I need activity guys come on. You don't get away with being inactive in this business and that's the way it is.
"I am gutted, I put so much work in. Well done Dustin.
"I am proud, I would have liked to have represented my team a bit better but we will get together, I'm going to go home to my kids and just chill and regroup."
1-1
— UFC (@ufc) January 24, 2021
Maybe we'll see these two share an Octagon again some day... #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/lBWg63ynik
WOW! DUSTIN POIRIER STOPS MCGREGOR
Oh my goodness. I cannot believe what I have just seen. Dustin Poirier avenges defeat and KOs Conor McGregor in brutal fashion. That was an incredible finish by The Diamond.
The leg kicks from the American took their toll on McGregor, who was hit with a barrage of punches flush on the chin, he dodged them but eventually, Poirier got through and sent him tumbling to the floor. Two punches followed and the Irishman is out! Truly astonishing.
McGregor vs Poirier - Round One
Poirier goes to the floor but McGregor responds well with a thunderous shoulder strike.
The pair talk to one another as they grabble and exchange shoulder strikes.
Conor lands a nice elbow and two flush shots as they return to the centre of the octagon.
Intriguing opening five minutes. Poirier trying to tire McGregor but may have worked against him.
McGregor finished the round well, using his jab and finding the target.
Here we go! Showtime...
Main event up next... Conor McGregor returns to the octagon to take on Dustin Poirier
Will we see a repeat of The Notorious' first-round demolition in 2014?
This time around McGregor is planning to steamroller the American inside 60 seconds.
Not long to go now...
WOW! Chandler stops Hooker inside three minutes!
That is some debut from Chandler, who steams right through Hooker. That is how you maximise an opportunity. Huge left-hand hurts the New Zealander badly and Chandler finishes him off.
The American then calls out McGregor, Poirier and even Khabib Nurmagomedov as he looks to take the lightweight division by storm. Special performance.
Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler up next!
A chance to make a statement in the lightweight division ahead of the main event.
.@TheNotoriousMMA has arrived to the arena!!! #UFC257 #InAbuDhabi @visitabudhabi pic.twitter.com/bhtH58icbI
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 24, 2021
.@DustinPoirier has arrived to the arena! #UFC257 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/P8RhiSvqxz
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 24, 2021
Calderwood wins by UD!
Eye vs Calderwood - Round Three
A late effort from Eye but this has been comfortable from Calderwood, who has picked her shots to perfection. Superb performance.
Eye vs Calderwood - Round Two
Eye seems to be pressing hard with no reward. Calderwood landed a huge kick to the face, followed up with some smart body kicks and punches. Good round from the Scot.
Eye vs Calderwood - Round One
Closely contested first round. Calderwood keen to invest in the body but her face is already marked up.
Here we go, up next... Jessica Eye vs Joanne Calderwood
It is OVER! Muradov stops Sanchez in Round 3
Really impressive performance from Muradov, who finally gets through in the third round.
Monstrous right hand sends Sanchez stumbling, his knee and ankle jolting awkwardly.
Takes away his equilibrium before Muradov sends a flying knee into the head of Sanchez.
The referee interviews to safe his blushes. That was not going to end well.
Another third-round stoppage for Muradov, who gets the approval of Dana White.
He then asks the UFC chief to follow him back on Instagram, brilliant stuff.
Sanchez vs Muradov - Round 2
Sanchez started to feel the power of Muradov towards the end of the round, as he backs up.
A head kick narrowly misses from Muradov, who is constantly on the move in a bid to entice his opponent.
Right hand also lands flush right on the buzzer.
Sanchez vs Muradov - Round 1
Sanchez lands some nice shots as he tries to put together some combinations.
Muradov happy to take them flush on the head and the Uzbekistan star tries his luck with a flying knee and several head kicks. Good opening round.
Andrew Sanchez and Makhmud Muradov at middleweight up next!
A Fight Island STUNNER. #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/LtO4ekD7CL
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 24, 2021
WOW! Rodriguez stops Ribas in Round 2!
Crazy, crazy finish there from Rodriguez. She drops Ribas and thinks it's over as the referee moved in.
But the fight was waved on and Rodriguez made sure of the win with a stunning elbow and several big punches. Brutal but impressive stoppage.
Rodriguez vs Amanda Ribas - Round 1
An intriguing start to this one. Ribas the aggressor and Rodriguez's coach is adamant she lost that round as he looks to spark a reaction.
Main card up next...
That's all from the prelims. Some really good, well-matched contests with Arman Tsarukyan probably the pick of the bunch.
Tonight is about to go up a notch though thanks to some mouthwatering matchups, which concludes with the return of The Notorious Conor McGregor.
Prelims result - Tsarukyan beats Frevola
Great fight as Arman Tsarukyan beats Matt Frevola by UD. Dominant performance wore Frevola down in the second and third round.
Prelims result - Tavares beats Carlos Junior
Tavares does more than enough to beat Carlos Junior as he cruises to a unanimous decision victory over the Brazilian, scored 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
John Kavanagh praises Poirier - 02:30am
McGregor's coach John Kavanagh is cautious that Poirier is a well-rounded and much-improved fighter since the first clash in 2014.
He believes his fighter will have to be ready for relentless pressure from the American.
I think Dustin’s biggest attribute is that he pours on a lot of pressure,” he said.
“That’s certainly something to take note of. He’s been in some wars lately where’s he’s been able to walk through some shots and pile on a whole load of pressure. Do we get into a whole technical discussion with just a few days to go? Probably not [laughs].
“The man is very skilled everywhere. It’s a new fight and it’s a similar fight. I feel Dustin is good everywhere. He’s got a great guillotine attack, he’s dangerous everywhere.
"But we’re confident Conor is a level above. Conor’s power has increased to an extraordinary level, to be honest. I’m really excited to see it when I’m not shouting at him ‘take it easy! Take it easy!’ when he’s wearing 18oz gloves and people are still flying across the ring.
“So to see him with 4oz gloves and not having to worry about the sparring partner? it’s exciting.”
What a slate for our first 2021 PPV ������
— UFC (@ufc) January 23, 2021
[ Get #UFC257: https://t.co/ZSsZOY5oV0 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/6CXd8tpOdS
Prelims Result - Pena beats McMann
Julianna Pena with a huge third round to submit Sara McMann.
The Venezuelan Vixen calls out Amanda Nunes following her victory as she looks to climb the bantamweight rankings.
Prelims Result - Prachnio beats Rountree
The prelims are now underway and Polish star Marcin Prachnio just got the better of Khalil Rountree Jr in a light-heavyweight war.
Prachnio finished strongly to secure the win after being wobbled by a huge right hand from the American.
The story this week... - 01.30am
While there is plenty of intrigue surrounding McGregor's rematch with Poirier, the fight wasn't the main talking point on Fight Island earlier this week.
That's because Khabib Nurmagomedov was in town and sat down with Dana White to discuss his UFC future.
White later revealed that Khabib said that his work in the UFC was done... unless he saw something from the main card that enticed him into a return.
Khabib decided not to stick around for tonight's card after cornering for his cousin Umar on Wednesday night and instead headed to Las Vegas.
The Dagestani lightweight champion is set to meet with White again in Nevada in the coming weeks.
McGregor remains keen on a rematch with the Russian and said "we'll get him" when White was quizzed on Khabib's future earlier this week.
McGregor's fight plan - 01:15am
The Notorious was left frustrated with his lack of activity last year and now he is looking to make up for lost time.
McGregor was inside the Octagon for just 40 seconds following his first-round demolition of Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone.
Now he has made the decision to return to lightweight and wants to fight seven times in the next 18 months...
He told ESPN: "The truth is the fight game will never get rid of me. Conor McGregor will be here until the day I go out. So that's it.
"If they line me up, I'll get about seven fights in the next year and a half. That's what I want."
Dana White hits out at streamers - 00.45am
Dana White has issued a stern warning to the culprits behind illegal UFC streams.
The 51-year-old is determined to clamp down on those failing to pay for subscriptions and pay-per-view events.
And earlier this week, White claimed he was ready to strike and take action against one particular individual should they decide to stream UFC 257.
“We got one. We got him,” White said. “We’re watching this guy right now. All you have to do is turn it on Saturday, and we got you, f*****. I can’t wait. Turn it on Saturday, streamers, and see what happens.”
McGregor vs Poirier Live - 00:30am
Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's live coverage as Conor McGregor returns to action for the first time in 12 months.
The Notorious needed just 40 seconds to knock out Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena last year.
And there could be a big prize on offer if he manages to put on a similar performance against Dustin Poirier - a rematch with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
UFC chief Dana White has confirmed that Khabib, who announced his retirement last year, may return to fight the winner of McGregor vs Poirier.
White said: "His words to me were,'I'm going to watch this fight. I would never tie up the division. These guys do something spectacular, show me something spectacular and make me want to come back and fight'."
Stay tuned to right here for all the build-up to this highly-anticipated bout.
McGregor vs Poirier fight card
Main card
Dan Hooker (20-9) vs Michael Chandler (21-5), lightweight
Jessica Eye (15-8) vs Joanne Calderwood (14-5), flyweight
Matt Frevola (8-1-1) vs Ottman Azaitar (13-), lightweight
Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2) vs Amanda Ribas (10-1), strawweight
Prelims
Brad Tavares (17-6) vs Antonio Carlos Junior (10-4), middleweight
Julianna Pena (9-4) vs Sara McMann (12-5), bantamweight
Movsar Evloev (13-0) vs Nik Lentz (30-11-2), catchweight
Nasrat Haqparast (12-3) vs Arman Tsarukyan (15-2), lightweight
Early prelims
Andrew Sanchez vs Makhmud Muradov (middleweight)
Nik Lentz Movsar Evloev (catchweight)
Amir Albazi vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov (flyweight)
BIG FIGHT ODDS
Conor McGregor 1/3
Dustin Poirier 12/5
Click here to bet with Bet365
*odds subject to change
What TV channel is McGregor vs Poirier?
The fight will be broadcast exclusively on BT Sport Box Office.
The pay-per-view event, which includes the entire undercard, will cost £19.95.
How to live stream McGregor vs Poirier
The fight will be available to live stream on the BT Sport website or the BT Sport Box Office app.
Simply visit bt.com/sportboxoffice and pay for the event online.