Khabib vs Dustin Poirier UFC 242 LIVE result: Nurmagomedov remains undisputed lightweight champion

Re-live all the action from UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi

Khabib Nurmagomedov weighs in

Khabib Nurmagomedov returned to the UFC on Saturday and made a major statement, defeating Dustin Poirier to retain his lightweight title at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.

The undefeated Dagestani improved his record to 28-0 with the win, submitting 'The Diamond' via rear naked choke in the third round of the pair's five-round main event contest.

The fight and victory were the lightweight king's first in the 11 months since he overshadowed his win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas by scaling the cage and jumping into the crowd to fight members of the Irishman's entourage.

Re-live all the action from Abu Dhabi below:

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"Right now, I feel this hunger," Nurmagomedov said before this fight. "I feel this motivation, this fire, and that's why I stay focused. I want to stay busy. I want to stay hungry. I want to stay focused, humble. This is the key."

Nurmagomedov returns to face Poirier (21-5, 1 no-contest), who claimed an interim lightweight title belt during Nurmagomedov's suspension by beating Max Holloway.

Unlike the theatrics around his bout last year with McGregor, Nurmagomedov has a clear mutual respect with Poirier. Instead of a clash of personalities, this fight will be a contrast of style and strengths.

"My last fight, it was a little bit crazy and tough fight," Nurmagomedov said. "But now I have an opponent I want to show respect to, and it's all about respect. That's why we both show respect. But when the cage closes, it's going to be a very good, high-level matchup."

Key Points

• Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Dustin Poirier by submission (RNC, round three)
• Paul Felder def. Edson Barboza by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
• Islam Makhachev def. Davi Ramos by decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
• Curtis Blaydes def. Shamil Abdurakhimov by TKO (2:22 of round two)
• Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Mairbek Taisumov by decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

[7 September 2019 16:31 · Adam Hamdani]

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's coverage of UFC 242, with the feature bout Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier, live from Abu Dhabi.

[7 September 2019 17:01 · Adam Hamdani]

Khabib goes into the fight as the clear favourite, having only ever lost one round in his entire career.

Here's what you need to know about UFC 242.

[7 September 2019 17:11 · Adam Hamdani]

In case you haven't watched this, watch it.

[7 September 2019 17:26 · Adam Hamdani]

The bout is Khabib's first since his high profile match up against Conor McGregor back in October 2018, which he won by a now-infamous submission.

[7 September 2019 17:44 · Alex Pattle]

We're a little over an hour away from the main card, but in the meantime, some big news for MMA fans everywhere...

The UFC have booked Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal for November 2nd at Madison Square Garden in New York.

UFC president Dana White has said that the mouthwatering clash will headline UFC 244, despite it not being a title fight. I don't think anyone is going to argue against seeing those two battle for five rounds...

[7 September 2019 17:51 · Alex Pattle]

Five of the preliminary bouts are in the books, and there have already been two devastating knockouts. Here's one of them:

[7 September 2019 17:52 · Alex Pattle]

And here's the other for your viewing pleasure...

[7 September 2019 17:58 · Adam Hamdani]

One hour until the main card. Khabib is making the second defence of his lightweight title, having successfully defended it against Conor McGregor last October.

Poirier enters the octagon as the interim champion after his impressive decision victory over Max Holloway in April.

[7 September 2019 18:20 · Adam Hamdani]

The main card begins at 7pm, live on BT Sport Box Office.

Here's how it looks:

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier

Edson Barboza vs Paul Felder

Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos

Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov

Mairbek Taisumov vs Carlos Diego Ferreira

So, you're in for a good evening...

[7 September 2019 18:38 · Adam Hamdani]

It seems that ahead of the fight, Khabib might be a little bit agitated.

But not with his opponent, for once.

The Russian has been asked numerous questions about whether his dad is attending the fight - and he's sick of it.

"How many times will you ask about my father?

"He [another journalist] asked me yesterday about why I didn't come to media.

"I said, 'I come but I don't talk with media.' I come, sit down and leave.

"But why don't I talk with media? Because the last three months, same question.

"Father? What do you think about Dustin? Do you respect him? How is your training camp?

"Like 90 per cent, all the same.

"Right now, same thing. Right now I want to leave they say, 'No you have to go.'

"You guys say 90 per cent the same question.

"How many times do I give answers about my father? Maybe this week 15 or 20. One question."