Dustin Poirier is set to challenge Charles Oliviera for the lightweight title after overwhelming Conor McGregor in the trilogy fight at UFC 264 main event.
Contrary to popular belief, the Diamond dominated the Notorious in the first round before the Irishman broke his ankle while stepping backward in the last seconds of the round.
The doctor then put an end to the contest as McGregor had to get immediate treatment for the gruesome injury. It was certainly not the finish the MMA fraternity had expected.
Nonetheless, Dustin Poirier will be happy to make it 2-1 against the biggest superstar in the MMA. The judges scored the first round 10-9, 10-8, and 10-8 in Poirier’s favour.
The Diamond escaped a brutal guillotine attempt by the Notorious which made it seem like he was near to tapping out.
While Poirier took home the win, McGregor reportedly earned approximately $20 million for the fight. The Diamond made a million dollars too.
This was Poirier’s 28th career win and sixth loss of Conor McGregor. The Irishman has lost three of his last five fights since 2018.
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“I felt like I was in control of the fight and I feel like his leg is the result of a defensive move, me checking it, a kick,” Poirier told Joe Rogan right after the fight as McGregor received treatment at another corner of the octagon.
On the other hand, the Irishman said that the injury had nothing to do with Poirier’s kick.
“There was no check! There was not one of them was checked. I was boxing the bleedin’ head off him and kicking the bleedin’ leg off him. Usual [censored], [he] dived to close the distance. This is not over. If I have to take this outside with him, it’s on the outside. I don’t give a [censored],” he said.
“Just, the thing had separated and I bleedin’ landed on the wonky leg, like Anderson Silva that time. Something similar to that. It’s a f***ing mad old business. F*** sake!”
UFC stars react to Poirier’s win
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who shared a feud with McGregor, took a jibe at his foe on Twitter.
Commenting on a post where McGregor said about sending Poirier back home on a stretcher, the Dagestani star had fun for how the tables turned at the fight.
He also congratulated the Diamond for the victory and hoped to see him as the champion in near future.
Good always defeats evil.
Very happy for @DustinPoirier I hope you will get the belt end of the year— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 11, 2021
Former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was also in awe of how the fight ended.
Crazy to think that at the end of the weigh in Conor said he would be taken out on a stretcher. And now Conor gets taken out on a stretcher. Man this game we play is so crazy!!!! Hats off to the Diamond of Lafayette!! @DustinPoirier
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 11, 2021
Whereas former interim champion Justin Gaethje had a rather subtle reaction to the outcome and we all know to whom was the clown emoji directed.
https://twitter.com/Justin_Gaethje/status/1414080968197951489?s=20
Former light-heavyweight champion Jon Bones believes that the Irishman may hang up his gloves after suffering the brutal injury.
Man, I wonder if he will ever fight again after this.. heal up champ, this is terrible
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 11, 2021
While former UFC star Ben Askren did not like to see McGregor involve in a verbal spat with Poirier after the fight.
McGregor was taking an ass whipping, why’s he talking crazy now.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 11, 2021
