UFC Lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov has dominated at UFC 242 in the United Arab Emirates. Despite an eleven month absence due to his suspension after the events at his last fight against Connor McGregor, Khabib was completely in control of his opponent, Dustin Poirier (21-6, 1 no-contest).
Nurmagomedov pummeled Poirier from pillar to post in the fight and showed why he is pound for pound the best fighter in the UFC today. Although Poirier did manage some offense in the fight and caught the champ with an overhand right in the second, Khabib used the same rear naked choke in the third that finished off McGregor to end the fight with Poirer. The big question after this fight will be who is going to stop this Russian juggernaut. This win moves Khabib record to a very impressive 28-0, which is normally unheard of in MMA.
Dana White has stated that Tony Ferguson has first refusal to take on Khabib but if he doesn’t want the fight he wont rule out a potential rematch against Conor McGregor, and potentially in Moscow.
In the undercard bouts, Heavyweight contender Curtis Blades had an impressive technical knockout win over Shamil Abdurakhimov, but the most frightening fight of the night was when Ottoman Azaitar caught Teemu Packalen with a wild punch behind the ear in the first round. Packalen was left twitching on the ground.
Here are the full results of the night.
Main Event
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Dustin Poirier – undisputed UFC Lightweight title.
Nurmagomedov defeats Poirier via rear naked choke in the third.
Main Undercard
Paul Felder def Edson Barboza via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)
Islam Makhachev def Davi Ramos via unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 29-27)
Curtis Blaydes def Shamil AAbdurakhimov via TKO (elbow and punches) — R2, 2:22
Carlos Diego Ferreira def Mairbek Taisumov via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Joanne Calderwood def Andrea Lee via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Zubaira Tukhugov drew with Lerone Murphy (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
Sarah Moras def Liana Jojua via TKO (punches and elbows) — R3, 2:26
Ottman Azaitar def Teemu Packalen via KO (punch) — R1, 3:33
Early Preliminaries
Belal Muhammad def Takashi Sato via submission (rear-naked choke) — R3, 1:55
Muslim Salikhov def Nordine Taleb via KO (punch) — R1, 4:26
Omari Akhmedov def Zak Cummings via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Don Madge def Fares Ziam via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
UFC’s next pay-per view event is one for the Aussie and Kiwi fans, as Australia’s Robert Whittaker, the current Middleweight champion, puts his title on the line against New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya on October 6 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium (formerly Ethaid Stadium, the same arena that brought Rousey v Holmes in 2015) in a somewhat Anzac (Australia v New Zealand) bout.