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After a year of waiting, the world’s biggest MMA star has returned to the Octagon. This Saturday (23), Conor McGregor led the UFC 257 card, in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), in a show that featured the return of the public presence in the stands. But to cap off the surprising weekend, the winner was Dustin Poirier, who knocked out the Irishman in the second round and took revenge for the loss he suffered in 2014.
After taking the worst at first, the American contained the momentum of Conor’s attacks and went for low kicks that sapped the speed of the former UFC two-tier champion. By taking advantage of the advantage, the ‘Diamond’ guaranteed the feat of being the first to knock out McGregor.
Dustin Poirier (right) hits another punch at Conor McGregor (e) during the UFC 257 fight
Image: Jeff Bottari / Getty Images
“It’s one by one, it’s difficult to accept this one, let’s start over. Go home, regroup and try again,” Conor decreed, expressing the desire to make the final chapter of the trilogy between them.
With the win, Poirier now has 27 wins, plus six losses and a draw as a professional in MMA. For its part, ‘The Notorious’ recorded its fifth defeat, in a poster that still has 22 victories.
The struggle
McGregor on the Octagon floor after being knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Image: Playback
Aggressive, Conor took the lead on attacks with his traditional straight punches. However, after absorbing a few, Poirier went to the clinch and knocked down his rival, making it clear that the grip fight would be part of his strategy. In turn, the Irishman again dominated the first round with precise attacks and even shadows, which inflamed the public present in the gym. Conor 10 x Poirier.
In the second stage, Conor again used his low guard to confuse his rival. At times, the former champion endured his rival’s kicks and counterattacked with left blows. And it was precisely with this favorable scenario that ‘The Notorious’ was surprised.
Not overwhelmed by the Irishman’s confidence, Poirier put him against the fence and rocked him with a cross. From there, when he realized that the scenario had been inverted, the American connected several direct and crossed until knocking out the favorite, to the surprise of the fans.
See all UFC 257 results:
- Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor in the second round;
- Michael Chandler knockout Dan Hooker in 1st round;
- Joanne Calderwood defeated Jessica Eye by unanimous decision;
- Makhmud Muradov knockout Andrew Sanchez no 3rd round;
- Marina Rodríguez knocked out Amanda Ribas in the second round;
- Arman Tsarukyan defeated Matt Frevola by unanimous decision;
- Brad Tavares defeated Antônio ‘Cara de Sapato’ by unanimous decision;
- Julianna Peña submitted Sara McMann in the third round;
- Marcin Prachnio defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. by unanimous decision;
- Movsar Evloev defeated Nik Lentz by split decision;
- Amir Albazi defeated Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision.
