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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Your support makes all the difference.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."
Blaydes def. Abdurakhimov by TKO (2:22 of round two)
And it's all over!! Abdurakhimov was grounded and Blaydes busted him open with a massive elbow.
Abdurakhimov immediately grabbed his nose and Goddard jumped in to separate the two fighters, with the Russian failing to properly defend himself.
Blaydes' record improves to 12-2 (1 no contest), while Abdurakhimov's falls to 20-5.
Six wins for 'Razor Blaydes' in his last seven fights.
Makhachev is a former World and European Champion in combat Sambo - a lesser-known martial art, but one that plays heavily into his style in the UFC.
Neither man is over-committing at the moment - there are lots of single strikes rather than combinations. Neither competitor is really stamping their mark onto this match-up.
Ramos charges at Makhachev with a flurry of strikes, before attempting a takedown against the cage. Little success for the Brazilian, however.
He'll struggle to pull one off against the Russian tonight, such are Makhachev's wrestling skills.
Nice straight left from Makhachev out of his southpaw stance. It pierces Ramos' guard and the Brazilian looks a little stunned.
Makhachev pulled ahead late in that round. He bloodied up his opponent after finding a bit of a rhythm on the feet.
Big knee from Makhachev in the clinch at the start of the third, and he immediately looks for the finish over a grounded Ramos!
He pours on the offence, but Ramos is holding the Russian in close now, trying to recover.
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