McGregor vs Poirier LIVE: Highlights, who won and latest updates as UFC 264 fight ended over injury
Follow the latest updates and catch up on all the UFC fight highlights
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier failed to settle their rivalry tonight after a dramatic clash in the main event of UFC 264.
The latest bout marked their third meeting, with McGregor having knocked out Poirier in the first round when they fought at featherweight in 2014, before the American exacted his revenge this January by handing the Irishman the first KO loss of his career. That lightweight contest in Abu Dhabi ended in the second round, with many pundits predicting another early finish as the pair go head-to-head in a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
There was in fact an early finish, but not an expected one. The trilogy came to a close after McGregor lost to Poirier via doctor stoppage, with the Irishman unable to continue after sustaining an ankle injury at the end of the first round.
McGregor has just one win in the last four-and-a-half years – a 40-second demolition of Donald Cerrone in January 2020 – while Poirier now has eight victories and one defeat in that same period of time. The ‘Diamond’ has established himself as the No 1 lightweight contender in the UFC, and – having previously held interim gold – could have fought for the vacant undisputed title at 155lbs this spring. Instead, Poirier opted for a money fight with McGregor.
Follow all the highlights and fallout from UFC 264 below.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Thompson vs Burns: Round 2
Burns with a successful drive double-leg! He has Wonderboy’s waist locked and is throwing short punches to his opponent’s face, with Thompson’s back against the fence.
Wonderboy returns fire! A better round for Thompson, but that takedown might have stolen it for Burns.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Thompson vs Burns: Round 2
A minute into this second round and little action so far – just lots of feinting.
Thompson now lands a couple of kicks to the body. Burns throws his own but pulls his leg back at the last moment.
Thompson with a spinning back kick to the head! Burns blocks it, partially.
Burns goes for another single-leg, but Wonderboy shakes him off.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Thompson vs Burns: Round 1
Wonderboy is back to his feet! He uses the fence well to stand, despite eating some right hands in the process.
Burns still has Thompson stuck against the cage, to the dismay of the fans in the T-Mobile Arena.
A good first round for Burns, though he stumbles before being grazed with a head kick on the buzzer!
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Thompson vs Burns: Round 1
A twitchy start. Thirty seconds in and no strikes thrown. “USA” chants cascade from the crowd in support of Thompson. Burns ducks his head and swings some wild hooks, but the Brazilian misses.
Burns shoots for a single-leg takedown and pushes Thompson to the fence. Good defence from Wonderboy so far. The crowd begins to boo – they want this fight out in the open.
The pair remain against the fence, though, with Burns still struggling to advance the position.
Finally he secures the takedown, however!
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Burns is a jiu-jitsu expert with tremendous power in his hands. The former lightweight is a phenomenal athlete and undoubtedly one of the best 170lbers in the world.
Last time out, he was stopped by friend and former teammate Usman with the title on the line.
The Brazilian likely needs a few wins to get back into the title picture, but a victory over Wonderboy tonight would be a great start to that journey.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Wonderboy is out first to “Wonderboy” by Tenacious D – as always.
Karate specialist Thompson, who went 58-0 as a kickboxer, is a crowd favourite and always has been. But at 38, time is running out for the American to claim the welterweight strap.
If the nicest guy in MMA can beat Burns tonight, he might just get a crack at Usman next.
That said, Leon Edwards and Colby Covington are still in the conversation.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Wonderboy drew with then-champion Tyron Woodley when he first challenged for the welterweight title in 2016 – also on the undercard of a McGregor fight – before being outpointed in the rematch.
The former undefeated kickboxer, 38, is the only top welterweight to have not yet faced current champion Usman, though.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
We’re rattling through this card! The co-main event is already upon us.
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson (16-4-1) looks to make one last run at the welterweight title as he takes on Gilbert Burns (19-4), who lost to champion Kamaru Usman last time out.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
McGregor fights tend to bring out the stars, though his January clash with Poirier took place with with just a couple thousand fans in attendance in Abu Dhabi.
Tonight, normal order has been restored in a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Jared Leto, Logan Paul, Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox and Dave Chappelle are among the celebrities in the UFC 264 crowd.
McGregor vs Poirier: Undercard
Tuivasa def. Hardy via first-round TKO (strikes, 1:07).
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