UFC 242 live updates: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier

UFC 242 live updates: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier

UFC

UFC 242 live updates: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier

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UFC 242 takes place Saturday morning/afternoon from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It is the first UFC pay-per-view event held in Abu Dhabi since UFC 112 in 2010. The event is headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0) defending his UFC lightweight title against interim champion Dustin Poirier (25-5, 1 NC). This is Nurmagomedov’s first fight since he defeated Conor McGregor in the highest grossing event in the history of the sport. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier With his elite grappling, Khabib Nurmagomedov has built up an undefeated record in the toughest division in the sport. After a win over rival Conor McGregor, he is one of the biggest stars in the sport as well. He takes on Dustin Poirier, who has never been given anything over the course of the career. With his gritty offensive style he just kept winning and he earned this title shot by winning an interim title fight against featherweight champion Max Holloway. Now, Poirier gets the biggest opportunity of his career. Round 1. Poirier opens with a couple leg kicks in front of the pro-Khabib crowd. Khabib shoots in for a takedown a minute and a half in. Khabib gets Poirier down but Poirier stands back up. Khabib gets him down again and this time takes Poirier’s back. Khabib transitions into mount up against the cage and then back to back control. He uses a neck crank briefly but gives it up. Khabib lands some punches from the top and goes for the choke. he can’t get the arm under the neck and Poirier stands back up. Khabib retains a clinch and they battle for position. Khabib pulls Poirier back down. Poirier stands back up but Khabib pulls him down again. Khabib gets some hard elbows from mount at the close. 10-8 Khabib. Round 2. Poirier catches Khabib with a punch and moves in aggressively looking to capitalize. Eventually he slows down the pace as Khabib is fine. Khabib then scores another takedown. Khabib controls Poirier’s legs and lands some punches from the top. Poirier is bleeding. Poirier looks to stand back up. He eventually does but Khabib retains control of the body and prevents Poirier from getting any separation until the close seconds. 10-9 Khabib. Round 3. A weathered Poirier throws a couple big punches that miss. Khabib goes for a takedown. Poirier grabs a guilotine that’s pretty tight. Khabib fights out from trouble and gets his head out. Khabib locks in a rear naked choke and gets the submission. Winner: Khabib Nurmagomedov, submission, round 3. That was Khabib Nurmagomedov at his suffocating best. Once he gets a hold of an opponent, it’s so difficult to escape. Dustin Poirier’s spirit never went away but he was simply overwhelmed over time by the best lightweight in the world.