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."
Ramos tries some hammer fists from the bottom, but he's struggling to trouble Makhachev, who will win this fight if he maintains his dominant position for the final 45 seconds.
Makhachev def. Ramos by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
A close first round saw neither fighter open up too much, but Makhachev impressed in the second and third to pull clear on points.
That makes it seven wins from eight UFC fights for the Russian.
Makhachev calls out the winner of Edson Barboza versus Paul Felder, a tantalising match-up that takes place next.
Whoever wins, they'll face a tough test in Makhachev, should that be the fight that gets made next.
Barboza versus Felder. If you're a fan of striking - and inventive fighting, at that - then do not blink during this next contest.
The co-main event is imminent.
These two clashed back in 2015, with Barboza emerging the victor by unanimous decision.
You know Felder would love to even the score, and he's a much improved fighter since the pair's last bout.
Barboza using kicks to the lead leg and body of Felder early on.
Felder pushes forward and looks to land with his hands.
Felder holds Barboza against the cage and lands a heavy knee to the body as they separate.
Felder is bleeding from his hairline and signals to referee Herb Dean that the cut came from a headbutt.
Dean pauses the action to check on Felder, and we're back underway.
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