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."
Khabib chants are echoing around the arena. Poirier flicks a couple of kicks in the Russian's direction.
More kicks from Poirier - to the legs, to the body.
Khabib shoots for a takedown and Poirier defends well, but eventually goes down.
Khabib is already looking for a rear naked choke.
He settles for a neck crank, which submitted McGregor in the Dagestani fighter's last outing.
Poirier squirms free.
Poirier gets back to his feet, when he looked just moments from succumbing to a choke!
Khabib keeps the interim champ against the fence, though.
One round in the bag and it was classic Khabib.
Grappling, grinding, dominating.
Poirier looks tired, but he's communicating well with his corner.
And round two is underway!
Khabib with a rogue flying knee, nowhere near, though.
Now Poirier comes forward and lands a strong series of punches to the Russian!
Khabib looks a little distressed...
Just as Poirier starts to find some success on the feet, Khabib shoots and lands the double-leg takedown.
He ties up Poirier's feet, just as he did to McGregor.
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