UFC 242: Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Dustin Poirier to retain UFC lightweight title (RECAP)

07 September 2019

KHABIB JUMPS THE CAGE AGAIN... BUT IN A GOOD WAY!

WHAT A NIGHT!

The duel in the desert was won by "The Eagle" from Dagestan as Nurmagomedov claimed the win and cemented his status as the greatest lightweight on the planet.

Who can possibly challenge him? There's only one man, American Tony Ferguson. But talk of that fight can wait for another day as Nurmagomedov and his team celebrate the 28th win of his remarkable MMA career. 

Thanks for joining us for live updates from UFC 242. Don't forget to check out the reports, reaction and latest MMA news on RT Sport in the days and weeks ahead.

IT'S ALL OVER! KHABIB SUBMITS POIRIER IN THE THIRD!

Poirier threw everything into the third round and locked up a tight guillotine choke and squeezed as tightly as he could. But Nurmagomedov stayed calm, stayed composed and waited for his moment to explode out of the hold as the crowd roared its approval.

Then, within seconds, the Russian star then transitioned to Poirier's back and locked up a rear-naked choke to force the tap at 2:06 of the round to unify the titles and remain the undisputed UFC lightweight champ.

KHABIB DOMINATES THE SECOND!

Poirier attempted to load up with strikes in the second round, but Khabib dealt with the storm, then came back to take Poirier to the mat and dominate him on the ground once again.

The Russian superstar is bossing this fight with his grappling, and Poirier is struggling to live with him.

KHABIB DOMINATES ROUND 1!

The world champion has a big opening round, taking Poirier to the mat and dominating him throughout the opening five minutes with smothering wrestling and powerful ground and pound.

It's the perfect start for the Russian, who takes the opening round with ease.

HERE COMES KHABIB!

Showing signs of rare emotion as he walks through the backstage area, Khabib Nurmagomedov emerges into the arena ahead of the biggest test of his UFC career to date.

The event has been geared up to be a vehicle for him, with a card packed with his teammates, in a venue that is packed with his fans. But all of those factors could turn into added pressure for the Russian as he steps in to face Poirier, a man with nothing to lose and a steely determination and belief that he has Khabib's number.

How will Khabib deal with the pressure? Can he settle into his usual rhythm? What happens if Poirier catches him early? We're about to find out!

HERE COMES POIRIER!

Walking out to James Brown's "The Boss", UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier looks focused and ready as he jogs his way through the backstage area and into the arena.

The crowd will largely be against him tonight, but he won't care about that, as he believes he's about to fulfill his destiny, hand Khabib his first loss and claim the undisputed UFC lightweight title.

KHABIB'S ROAD TO THE TITLE

Arriving in the UFC as a dominant, undefeated phenom from Russia, Khabib Nurmagomedov has torn his way through the opposition to claim the UFC lightweight belt.

He then cemented his position on the lightweight throne with a dominant submission finish of Conor McGregor at UFC 229 last year.

Now facing off against a challenger with a title of his own and an inspired run of form against the best fighters in the world, Khabib faces arguably the toughest test of his career in Abu Dhabi tonight.

POIRIER'S JOURNEY TO THE TITLE

Dustin Poirier has been so close to earning a title shot for years, first as a featherweight, then as a lightweight.

And when he got his shot at interim gold, he took his chance with both hands as he defeated current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway to win the strap. 

Now he's looking to upgrade the interim belt for the real thing by handing Khabib the first defeat of his MMA career.

IT'S TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT!

We've made it through to the big one. It's time for the battle for the undisputed, unified UFC lightweight title as the defending champion Khabib Nurmagomedov takes on interim champ Dustin Poirier. It's coming up next!

THEY GO THE DISTANCE AGAIN!

Despite being two of the most savage strikers in the lightweight division, Edson Barboza and Paul Felder stood and traded punches, kicks and elbows for three full rounds for the second time in their careers as the bout went all the way to the judges' scorecards.

Last time out it was Barboza who got the nod from the judges, but this time it was Felder, who earned the win with scores of 27-30, 29-28, 30-27 after another thrilling contest.

BARBOZA AND FELDER GET SET TO LIGHT UP THE OCTAGON

Two of the hardest-hitting, spectacular lightweight strikers go head to head in tonight's co-main event bout next, as Brazilian Edson Barboza and Paul Felder get ready to throw down for a second time.

Barboza took the spoils the last time they fought, but that was much earlier in their careers, and with both men more powerful and more seasoned than before, the matchup could prove to be even more spectacular than their first meeting.

MAKHACHEV DOMINATES IN THE DESERT

Islam Makhachev started in cagey fashion, but ended up claiming a dominant decision victory over Brazilian grappling ace Davi Ramos.

The Dagestani star shaded the stand-up exchanges through the first two rounds before hurting his man with a big knee in the third and ending up on top on the mat.

And once the fight went to the canvas, Makhachev didn't let Ramos back up as he dominated from top position to eventually earn scores of 29-27, 30-26, 30-26 on the judges' scorecards.

MAKHACHEV GETS HIS MOMENT

Up next is arguably the next most popular Dagestani fighter after Khabib Nurmagomedov, teammate Islam Makhachev.

He faces dangerous Brazilian grappler Davi Ramos in a bout that could prove a very interesting test for the Russian star. Ramos is outstanding on the mat, and will have no qualms about going to the canvas, on the top or the bottom, with Makhachev.

It should be a fascinating matchup.

BLAYDES CUTS UP ABDURAKHIMOV

American heavyweight contender Curtis "Razor" Blaydes lived up his billing as he smashed Shamil Abdurakhimov and left him cut and bleeding with what looked like a broken nose after a brutal elbow when on the ground.

It puts Blaydes right in the mix for a top contender's fight in his next matchup as he looks to position himself for a shot at the UFC heavyweight title.

IT'S TIME FOR THE BIG GUNS

Heavyweight action is up next at UFC 242, with rising contender Curtis Blaydes and Dagestani veteran Shamil Abdurakhimov set to go head to head.

Will it go the distance or will one of these two big men claim a big finish in Abu Dhabi?

TAISUMOV DROPS UD LOSS TO FERREIRA

Russian-Austrian Mairbek Taisumov loses by unanimous decision to Brazilian Carlos Diego Ferreira to pick up the sixth loss of his career. Its huge opportunity missed for the Chechen-born fighter to impress on a big UFC show, having failed to obtain a US visa for previous shows Stateside.

Ferreira picks up, admittedly, "the biggest win of his UFC career" against a tough and experienced fighter and moves to 16-2 in his career.

IT'S MAIN CARD TIME

We're into the big-time portion of the card now - the main card. And we're kicking off with a fascinating clash at 155 pounds as Brazil's Diego Ferreira lines up against Russian born Austrian Mairbek Taisumov.

Taisumov has been flying under the radar as one of the best lightweights in the UFC for a while now. Will tonight be the night he explodes into the mainstream?

CALDERWOOD EDGES IT

After an entertaining back-and-forth battle, it was Scotland's Calderwood who gets the nod with scores of 28-29, 30-27, 29-28 to get the split-decision win.

The two women stood toe to toe for three full rounds in a largely striking-based encounter, with Calderwood getting stronger as the fight wore on.

That ability to pour on the pressure in the second and third rounds proved decisive as "JoJo" claimed the win on the scorecards and moved one big step closer to a possible shot at reigning UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

"KGB" VS "JOJO"

The night's featured preliminary bout is upon us, as America's Andrea "KGB" Lee takes on Scotland's Joanne "JoJo" Calderwood in an eagerly-anticipated women's flyweight contest.

Both women have designs on a shot at the UFC's women's 125-pound title, and an impressive victory for either woman could see them jump the queue for the next title shot at champion Valentina Shevchenko, who is an interested spectator for this one.

A RARE DRAW

Zubaira Tukhugov and Lerone Murphy battled all the way to the scorecards in an exciting, back-and-forth matchup that saw the Russian dominate the wrestling, but the Brit look the better man on the feet. 

As the bout wore on, Tukhugov started to slow and Murphy began to push the pace as what initially looked a routine performance for the Russian began to look a little less convincing.

And when the scorecards were totaled, the judges were split down the middle, with one judge scoring it 29-28 to Tukhugov, another 29-28 to Murphy and the third viewing it as a 28-28 draw.

It meant the result was declared a split draw as Murphy kept his undefeated record alive after an impressive short-notice debut.

ZUBAIRA IS BACK

Russian star Zubaira Tukhugov makes his return from suspension in the next fight in Abu Dhabi, and he faces an interesting test for his return bout.

Brit Lerone Murphy is undefeated and arrives in the UFC flying under the radar somewhat after coming in on just three weeks' notice.

He's a dangerous man, but can he step up and match the Russian ace on his UFC debut, or will Tukhugov return and make a statement on his UFC return.

"SHE-WOLF" TAMED BY "CHEESECAKE"!

Georgian debutant Liana "She Wolf" Jojua had high hopes heading into her maiden UFC fight at UFC 242, but looked nervous and overwhelmed by the occasion as she was well beaten by Canada's Sarah "Cheesecake" Moras.

Moras dominated the exchanges throughout the fight before eventually scoring a third-round TKO stoppage via ground and pound. 

It wasn't the start to her UFC career that Jojua was hoping for, but for Moras it was just what she needed after three consecutive defeats.

THE SHE-WOLF MAKES HER DEBUT

It's time for action from the women's bantamweight division, as Canada's Sarah Moras takes on Georgian newcomer Liana Jojua. 

Moras came in two pounds over the 136 bantamweight limit, meaning she has had to forfeit some of her fight purse to her opponent. 

But who will have the edge when the cage door closes? Jojua's submission skills give her a real chance. Don't blink – "The She-Wolf" has five first-round finishes to her name, including four submissions.

ANOTHER HUGE KO!

Ottman Azaitar saw Muslim Salikhov's stunning one-punch KO from earlier in the night, and just surpassed it with a stunning finish of his own.

Azaitar faced Finland's Teemu Packalen in a lightweight contest in Abu Dhabi, and it was the 29-year-old, known as "Bulldozer", who had the fans leaping from their seats as he connected with a huge punch that separated Packalen from his senses for a massive knockout.

REMEMBER THE NAME!

Belal Muhammad's fighting nickname is "Remember The Name" and his performance in Abu Dhabi will certainly help those who were in attendance remember his name as he claimed a third-round submission finish of former Pancrase champion Takashi Sato.

Muhammad had the upper hand throughout the contest before eventually taking his man to the canvas and locking up a rear-naked choke for the win.

WELTERWEIGHTS HIT THE CAGE

Palestinian-American Belal "Remember The Name" Muhammad takes on former Pancrase welterweight champion Takashi Sato at 170 pounds.

SALIKHOV CONNECTS WITH HUGE KO!

Muslim Salikhov puts another one in the highlight reel as he finishes Nordine Taleb with a colossal right hand late in the first round.

It separated Taleb from his senses instantly as the Frenchman was sent crashing to the canvas. Referee Herb Dean instantly stepped in to prevent Salkhov landing any more strikes as "The King of Kung Fu" celebrated his second successive UFC finish in stunning fashion.

ENTER "THE KING OF KUNG FU"

Five-time wushu sanda world champion and spectacular striking specialist "The King of Kung Fu" Muslim Salikhov is up next, as the Dagestan-born fighter takes on Canada-based Frenchman Nordine Taleb in a welterweight bout.

Ten of Salikhov's 13 career wins in MMA have come via knockout, and his spectacular striking will go up against the equally powerful Taleb, who is making his 12th UFC appearance.

DAGESTAN 1-0 REST OF THE WORLD

The first Dagestani athlete on the card, Omari Akhmedov, picked up a hard-earned unanimous decision victory in his middleweight bout against American Zak Cummings.

Akhmedov kept the action standing for most of the contest and outstruck Cummings to earn scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 on the judges' scorecards.

"Wolverine" now has a record of 19-4.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS STEP UP

America's Zak Cummings and Dagestan's Omari Akhmedov face off at 185 pounds in a battle between two men who know how to finish.

The pair have 29 finishes between them, with Cummings' record boasting 12 submissions. Can he add another to his record in the nation that is famed for its grappling tournament, the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club)?

MADGE GETS THE NOD

It wasn't an exciting, action-packed bout, but it was a very effective night's work for Don Madge, who claimed the win over Farez Ziam via unanimous decision.

The judges scored it 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 for the South African, who improves his record to 9-3 and completes his second straight win in the UFC since signing for the promotion last year.

HERE WE GO!

The first fight of the night is upon us, as we get the Early Prelims underway. Don't forget, you can watch live on ESPN+ in the United States, or on UFC Fight Pass globally.

First up, it's a lightweight contest between South Africa's Don Madge and France's Fares Ziam.

KHABIB'S THE FAVORITE, BUT DUSTIN HAS A CHANCE...

The oddsmakers have Khabib as a sizeable favorite ahead of tonight's main event title unification fight, but a look at the media's picks shows that Poirier is considered a live underdog in this contest.

And MMA analyst Robin Black suggests that if there is an athlete capable of dethroning "The Eagle" it is surely someone with a skillset similar to "The Diamond".

COULD JORGE MASVIDAL OFFER THE KEY TO VICTORY FOR POIRIER?

Dustin Poirier hails from American Top Team, the Florida-based team that has produced a host of mixed martial arts world champions over the years.

And in former WEC champion Mike Brown they have the 2019 MMA Awards Coach of the Year, and a man who has masterminded gameplans for some of the best fighters in the world.

And one gameplan that paid off in spectacular fashion was the decision for Jorge Masvidal to open up his recent bout with dominant wrestler Ben Askren with a flying knee. It connected clean and gave Masvidal one of the most spectacular wins in UFC history.

With Khabib also offering a wrestling-first approach to his fights, could the flying knee form part of Poirier's gameplan, too? MMA analyst Robin Black offers his take...

BIG NEWS ON A BIG DAY

We may have a big fight in prospect tonight at UFC 242, but news has just broken of another huge UFC main event.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed to ESPN that Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz will face off in the main event of UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 2.

The pair won't be fighting for a UFC title but, after Diaz said they would fight for a "Baddest Mother F****r" belt, White said he would actually get a "BMF" belt made for the winner.

DAGESTAN HEROES SET FOR ACTION

Khabib isn't the only Dagestani fighter on the card in Abu Dhabi. 

The card also features rising lightweight star Islam Makhachev, heavyweight Shamil Abdurakhimov, welterweight striker Muslim Salikhov and middleweight Omari Akhmedov on a night that really is a showcase of the best of Dagestan's fighting talent.

RT Sport went into the mountains for a special documentary series, "Land Of Warriors" to give an insight into just what makes Dagestan such a hotbed for MMA champions.

Here are the first two episodes, which are well worth your time before the fights get started this evening:

EPISODE 1

EPISODE 2

IT'S FIGHT DAY!

Welcome to RT Sport's live coverage of UFC 242, as the UFC's famed octagon lands in the desert in Abu Dhabi for a huge event.

The show forms the centerpiece of a week-long jamboree called Abu Dhabi Showdown Week. We've already had the Red Hot Chili Peppers play live, but now it's time for MMA's rockstars to take center stage, with Russia's own Khabib Nurmagomedov and America's Dustin Poirier ready to face off for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship of the world.

It's a duel in the desert, and you can follow our live updates throughout the event, right here.