A constant refrain during the construction for UFC 257 and the rematch between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor was that Poirier was not the same man as when McGregor knocked him out in the 2014 featherweight match. Poirier proved this in the fight island rematch, when he survived to McGregor’s first blitzes to score a surprising knockout victory in the second round.
McGregor left quickly, showing his trademark speed and power, and even returning to the same shoulder blows that led to the knockout of Donald Cerrone on his January 2020 return to the octagon. For all these reasons, Poirier remained stable, working on McGregor with kicks in the legs, eventually taking the base of the Irish superstar before hitting him with punches, knocking him down on the screen and scoring the knockout at 2:32 of the second round.
The kicking leg attack was a constant throughout the round and a half of action, with Poirier never deviating from the plan. When McGregor landed and shook Poirier’s head back, Poirier would restart and immediately look to hit McGregor’s calf kicks.
Since McGregor seemed to have trouble moving efficiently, Poirier punched in and increased his punch volume.
“The leg kicks were good,” said McGregor after the defeat. “The calf kick was really good. My leg was dead, man.”
Poirier’s confidence shone from the first moments of the fight. While McGregor was effective in the attack, Poirier started talking during the fight and even pointed to McGregor after hitting a punch, delivering the message that a lot had changed in the past six years.
“I am happy, but not surprised,” said Poirier after the victory. “I worked hard. Conor had this very professional result here. He’s a professional, man. Nothing but respect. We are 1-1; we may have to do it again. I’m very happy in place. I’m happy with the man. I see in the mirror. This fight is great. This victory is great. “
Since lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after winning over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October, UFC president Dana White insists he believes the champion will return for a final fight. White stated that someone would have to do something truly impressive to get him to return to the octagon.
Poirier certainly impressed – as did Michael Chandler by knocking out Dan Hooker in the co-main event – and it would be difficult to ask for more than a knockout from the game’s biggest star. Poirier has already lost to Nurmagomedov once, in the fight in which he won the provisional lightweight title.
Poirier did not seem concerned about Nurmagomedov’s future, declaring himself champion for the victory over McGregor.
“I felt this was a title fight,” said Poirier. “If Khabib doesn’t come back, Conor and I will be the best. I’m the champion.”
McGregor is 1-2 in his UFC career in lightweight fights, having lost to Nurmagomedov and Poirier in their only fights in the category since winning the lightweight title against Eddie Alvarez in November 2016.
Although Poirier’s game plan and flaws in his conditioning appear to have been factors in McGregor’s defeat, he blamed the first knockout loss of his career largely on the lack of consistent activity.
“I need activity, guys, come on,” said McGregor. “You don’t get away with being inactive in this business. That’s the way it is. I’ll take my licks. I’m good at my job.”
McGregor has only fought twice in the UFC since 2018, beating Cerrone last year and losing to Poirier. In the meantime, he announced several retirements and was involved in bitter financial negotiations with the UFC.
McGregor has promised more activity in the future while still struggling to deal with the immediate consequences of a brutal defeat.
“It’s hard to swallow,” said McGregor. “I worked a lot. I am proud of my work.”
CBS Sports was with you all Saturday bringing all the results and highlights from UFC 257 below.
UFC 257 Card and Results
- Dustin Poirier won. Conor McGregor by TKO in round two (punches)
- Michael Chandler defeated. Dan Hooker for TKO in the first round (punches)
- Joanne Calderwood won. Jessica Eye by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Makhmud Muradov def. Andrew Sanchez by TKO in round three (punches)
- Marina Rodriguez def. Amanda Ribas by knockout in the second round (punches)
- Arman Tsarukyan vs. Matt Frevola by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Brad Tavares def. Antonio Carlos Junior by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Julianna Pena def. Sara McMann via submission in the third round (rear naked choke)
- Marcin Prachnio def. Khalil Rountree Jr. by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Movsar Evolev won. Nik Lentz by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Amir Albazi defeated Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)