Khabib vs Dustin Poirier UFC 242 LIVE result: Nurmagomedov remains undisputed lightweight champion
Re-live all the action from UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi
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Khabib Nurmagomedov returned to the UFC on Saturday and made a major statement, defeating Dustin Poirier to retain his lightweight title at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.
The undefeated Dagestani improved his record to 28-0 with the win, submitting 'The Diamond' via rear naked choke in the third round of the pair's five-round main event contest.
The fight and victory were the lightweight king's first in the 11 months since he overshadowed his win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas by scaling the cage and jumping into the crowd to fight members of the Irishman's entourage.
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"Right now, I feel this hunger," Nurmagomedov said before this fight. "I feel this motivation, this fire, and that's why I stay focused. I want to stay busy. I want to stay hungry. I want to stay focused, humble. This is the key."
Nurmagomedov returns to face Poirier (21-5, 1 no-contest), who claimed an interim lightweight title belt during Nurmagomedov's suspension by beating Max Holloway.
Unlike the theatrics around his bout last year with McGregor, Nurmagomedov has a clear mutual respect with Poirier. Instead of a clash of personalities, this fight will be a contrast of style and strengths.
"My last fight, it was a little bit crazy and tough fight," Nurmagomedov said. "But now I have an opponent I want to show respect to, and it's all about respect. That's why we both show respect. But when the cage closes, it's going to be a very good, high-level matchup."
For MMA fans in the UK, the preliminary card just ended on a rather positive note!
Scotland's Joanne Calderwood earned a massive win in the UFC women's flyweight division, defeating America's Andrea Lee by split decision.
It was a closely fought contest, but Jojo came out on top 28-29, 30-27, 29-28. That's three wins from her last four fights.
Here we go! Tonight's main card coverage is underway, sit back and enjoy as we bring you the latest updates from every fight.
First up is a lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov (27-5) and Carlos Diego Ferreira (15-2).
It is clearly sweltering in the arena tonight - Taisumov and Ferreira are warming up backstage and they're already drenched in sweat.
That heat could play a big part in how tonight's fights play out; draining energy, but also making fighters harder to hold onto when grappling, due to all the sweat.
Ring announcer and general icon Bruce Buffer does his thing and the fight is underway!
A lively first round, in which Ferreira did all of the pressing. Each man seemed to have the other wobbled at one point or another.
Both men start the second round by swinging for the fences, before they tie up against the fence. Ferreira is warned by referee Herb Dean for a couple of headbutts as the fighters grapple. They seemed accidental.
More pressing from Ferreira. Both fighters have landed some decent strikes and are sporting a bit of blood.
Taisumov ends a sharp combination with a tidy hook.
Ferreira lands a nice high kick as the round closes, but Taisumov doesn't seem too fazed.
The two fighters exchange respect after the buzzer.
Ferreira starts the final round with a high pace again, after an emphatic pep talk in his corner.
He shoots for a takedown but Taisumov stuffs it well.
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