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.
Re-live all the action from Abu Dhabi below:
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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."
263 significant strikes and counting attempted by Ferreira, compared to 108 from Taisumov. That shows the pace that he is pushing.
Ferreira lands some big right hands and Taisumov is visibly flat-footed for a few moments.
Taisumov's nose is busted up and clearly causing him some trouble. It could be broken and he's trying to clear it to little avail.
A lovely combination from Ferreira is finished off with a right high kick. He's looked very impressive over these 15 minutes and, as the buzzer sounds, he'll be confident of a win.
There you go: Ferreira gets the nod as expected. A unanimous decision win for the Brazilian.
Ferreira def. Taisumov by decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Every bout tonight is a lightweight fight with the exception of the next one - a heavyweight contest between Curtis Blades and Shamil Abdurakhimov.
Blaydes, an impressive wrestler, shoots very early on and secures the takedown. He takes Abdurakhimov's back, but the Russian gets up along the fence.
He's soon flat on his back on the mat, though...
Blaydes is controlling the fight. He's got Abdurakhimov grounded against the fence and is showing some good patience right now.
He's throwing in the odd punch for good measure, but appears content with subduing Abdurakhimov for the time being.
Clearly Blaydes' round. He mounts Abdurakhimov in the final 10 seconds and gets off some heavy shots, including a couple of nasty elbows.
Possibly a 10-8 round for the American.
Eighteen seconds into round two and Blaydes lands another takedown.
It may not be the most thrilling tactic to observe, depending on your specific pugilistic preferences, but Blaydes knows that this is where he's best off.
He is warned by referee Marc Goddard for grabbing Abdurakhimov's gloves in a certain manner, but that's quickly resolved.
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