Dustin Poirier defeats Conor McGregor at UFC 257
Dustin Poirier defeated Conor McGregor by KO in the second round at the main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. A left hook changed the fight. McGregor did well, but his inactivity showed. Poirier, with more experience, caught him with a counter punch and knocked him down.
It was a surprise, partly because one punch changed everything when the Irishman seemed to be doing better. "I felt the inactivity. I want to get active in this business again and be the best," he added.
Poirier confirms that he has little to lose to The Notorious in 2014. He is in the best moment of his career. He confirmed it inside the cage and then he was very clear: "If Khabib (Nurmagomedov) is out, this should have been a title fight," he said. He deserved it. Now we have to wait for the Russian's decision.
The fight began with the same dynamics as the whole week. McGregor is back because he enjoys his job and his face reflected it. He felt the support of the audience in his entrance and wanted to give them a victory. The Irishman came out to close the distance, but Poirier surprised him and took him down. Quickly, Conor put his back against the cage to try to stand up. He did it and reversed the situation. He even landed punches with his usual accuracy. The vertical jab, after a small feint, had an effect. However, he had to be careful: Poirier countered him twice with danger.
The beginning of the second round showed a detail that may have been key. With a kick to McGregor's right leg, Poirier made him trip. It didn't seem to be a big deal, but at the end, the Irishman complained about it to the doctor. Whether it was important or not, The Notorious improved. He started to feel comfortable, threw more punches, and read his opponent. Poirier was caught twice by his leg when he wanted to kick low and got stuck against the cage. That was the beginning of the end for McGregor. He has great boxing, but he failed in distance management and paid the price. He was exposed and Poirier landed a right hook that hurt him and then followed with a left hook to the temple. The tables turned and if Poirier has anything, it's rhythm. He threw everything he had, missed, but also connected. With two more hooks, he made McGregor retreat and when the Irishman was falling, he finished him with a straight right to the forehead. Perhaps that image of the king falling will be the most remembered in the coming days. McGregor came to shine on Fight Island, but it was Dustin Poirier who did it.
It's over!!!! Dustin Poirier knocks out McGregor!!!! #UFC257 #InAbuDhabi #UFCEnVivo pic.twitter.com/44yOe5ctIs
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) January 24, 2021
What a performance!!! Dustin Poirier defeats Conor McGregor in round 2 by TKO #UFC257 #InAbuDhabi #UFCEnVivo pic.twitter.com/Uc0w0T5pzX
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) January 24, 2021