Khabib reacts to Conor McGregor defeat to Dustin Poirier

The Russian took delight in his former rival’s demise at the hands of The Diamond at UFC 264

Khabib Nurmagomedov has reacted to former rival Conor McGregor’s latest defeat to Dustin Poirier by insisting “good always defeats evil”.

The Diamond overcame The Notorious at UFC 264 in strange circumstances when the Irishman suffered a broken leg towards the end of the first round.

The gruesome leg injury led to a doctor’s stoppage and a second consecutive defeat to the American.

And the Russian, who retired undefeated as the lightweight champion before vacating the belt, responded to the fight by congratulating Poirier and taking a predictable shot at McGregor.

Khabib wrote: “Good always defeats evil. Very happy for Dustin Poirier I hope you will get the belt end of the year.”

That belt is held by Charles Oliveira, with a meeting now probable due to a lengthy layoff for McGregor before a fourth fight can be negotiated.

The time to rehabilitate remains uncertain, but UFC president Dana White has provided more context.

“Lower tibia. The shin, I guess,” White said at the post-fight press conference.

Conor McGregor insults Dustin Poirier’s wife after suffering broken leg at UFC 264

“I don’t know how the f*ck they figured that out that quick.”

McGregor could take solace from White’s follow-up, almost promising the fourth fight against Poirier once he has recovered.

“It’s all about timing, what’s going on, what’s happens since then,” White said.

“Conor goes into surgery tomorrow. We don’t know long how he’s going to be out. How much his rehab and therapy he’s going to need.”

Conor McGregor of Ireland is carried out of the arena on a stretcher (Getty)

After a disappointing end to the fight with McGregor’s hopes of redemption and revenge snatched away from him by the unfortunate injury, the animosity between the two fighters resurfaced.

But McGregor was in no mood to show respect to his American rival, instead taking aim at both Poirier and his wife.

McGregor vs Poirier LIVE: Highlights and latest updates as UFC 264 fight ended over injury

Conor McGregor of Ireland sits on the mat after injuring his ankle (Getty)

“Your wife is in my DMs, hey baby,” McGregor snapped as his opponent returned to the dressing rooms.

“Hit me back up I’ll chat to you later on, I’ll be at the after party at the Wynn night club. You look in bits you little h**!

“I was boxing the ears off him, kicking the legs off him, usual s**** he dived to close the distance.”

McGregor and Poirier trade strikes (Getty Images)

“This is not over! If I have to take this outside with him it’s on outside I don’t give a b*******.”

Poirier looks likely to attempt to move on from McGregor and challenge Charles Oliveira for his lightweight title, but he could not resist a parting shot at the Irishman, labelling him “a dirt bag” following a bitter build-up to their third fight.

“I can take the trash talk,” Poirier told Joe Rogan. “There’s no holds barred with the trash talk, but murder is something you don’t clown around with, you don’t talk to people like that.

“He said he was going to send me home in a coffin, you don’t talk like that, I hope this guy gets home safe to his beautiful family.

“He hit me with a good cross , just like the last fight, I didn’t see it and it kind of clipped me, I was a little bit buzzed but my legs were still there.”