Khabib vs Dustin Poirier: What time does UFC 242 start in UK, TV channel, live stream info
Khabib has not fought since famously choking out Conor McGregor in October 2018
Khabib Nurmagomedov will face Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
Khabib has not fought since famously choking out Conor McGregor in October 2018.
Poirier holds the interim 155lb title after beating featherweight champion Max Holloway, and now bids to make it official by winning the full title.
There were dramatic scenes at the weigh-in as Khabib was forced to strip down to his birthday suit in order to make the cut, and only just in time.
LIVE BLOG: Follow the latest from UFC 242
Khabib vs Conor McGregor
Show all 30Officials covered his dignity with a towel before he left to go and rehydrate.
What time will the fight start?
Khabib vs Poirier is expected to start at around 9pm BST (midnight in Abu Dhabi).
What TV channel is it on?
The fight will be shown live on BT Sport Box Office, for a cost of £19.95.
How can I live stream online?
The fight can be watched via the BT Sport website or mobile app, for the same Box Office price.
What are the odds?
Khabib 1/4
Poirier 5/2
Full UFC 242 fight card
Main Card
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
Preliminary Card
Ottman Azaitar vs Teemu Packalen
Liana Jojua vs Sarah Moras
Zubaira Tukhugov vs Lerone Murphy
Joanne Calderwood vs Andrea Lee
Early Preliminary Card
Belal Muhammad vs Takashi Sato
Nordine Taleb vs Muslim Salikhov
Omari Akhmedov vs Zak Cummings
Don Madge vs Fares Ziam
Latest updates
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
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.
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.
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.
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...
Five of the preliminary bouts are in the books, and there have already been two devastating knockouts. Here's one of them:
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.
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...
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."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies