Conor McGregor suffers shock KO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 with career left in tatters and Khabib rematch a no go
CONOR MCGREGOR suffered a devastating defeat in his long-awaited return to the UFC’s lightweight division this morning, a loss which has all but ended his hopes of a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Notorious returned to the weight class he once ruled in the early hours of the morning for a rematch with Dustin Poirier, which headlined UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi.
But the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion was given a rude welcome back to the division by the former interim king, suffering a second-round TKO loss.
McGregor, 32, came out aggressive early, landing two big left hands flush on the chin of his old featherweight rival.
Poirier took them well, though, and responded with two leg kicks before dipping levels and landing a beautiful double leg takedown.
McGregor managed to work his way back up to his feet and then forced Poirier up against the fence, where he landed two big shoulder strikes in the clinch.
Eventually, they separated and McGregor went to work, landing another straight left before stunning Poirier with a shovel right hook.
Poirier soon reversed position and began to work the former double champ with a prolonged single-leg takedown attempt.
McGregor defended well and reversed the position again, landing another shoulder strike on the chin of The Diamond.
Poirier immediately went on the defensive, which invited more pressure from The Notorious.
A spinning heel kick nearly landed flush for McGregor, who ended the round strong.
McGregor immediately began stalking his man after the restart looking to land that trademark left hand.
Fan favourite Poirier looked to hinder the Irishman’s movement with leg and calf kicks, which seemed to be taking their toll.
McGregor soon wised up to the tactic and began catching the kicks and looking to land counters.
But the Dubliner’s movement was well and truly compromised, which led to eventually Poirier cornering against the fence.
The pride of Louisiana unleashed a hellacious flurry and rocked the former featherweight and lightweight champion with a big left hand.
The former interim lightweight champion didn’t let up and landed a big right hook that sat McGregor down and closed the shot with some ground and pound.
A dejected McGregor said: “It’s hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time. And that’s just it.
“The leg kicks were good. That low calf good was very good. The leg was dead and I just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be.
It’s inactivity and that’s it. But Dustin is some fighter. If you put in the time in here, you’re going to get cosy in here and that’s it.
“I have to dust it off and come back and that;s it. And that’s what I’ll do.”
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