UFC 242: Khabib Nurmagomedov chokes out Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0-0) united the belt by defeating interim champion Dustin Poirier (25-6-0) in a spirited three round contest in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.

Poirier, the underdog going into the fight made things interesting in the early rounds. After getting pressured near the cage and on the mat by Khabib, he rebounded to stun Nurmagomedov in the second round with strikes that backed the Russian up. The American also tried several guillotine submission attempts, in round two and particularly round three.

But, as always with Khabib opponents, the pressure was too much.

Nurmagomedov escaped the second guillotine choke and ended up in top position, forcing Poirier to give up his back. The Russian slipped in the rear-naked choke and Poirier was forced to tap at 2:06 in the third round.

The win marks Nurmagomedov’s second successful defence of the belt along with unifying Poirier’s interim crown. Tony Ferguson is expected to be next in line for a crack at the belt, a matchup that has been delayed by various injuries to both Ferguson and Nurmagomedov.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170454963874451456?s=20

Nurmagomedov, Ottman Azatair, Muslim Salikhov, and Belal Muhammad earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.

Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card

UFC 242 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS

FARES ZIAM VS. DON MADGE

🎩 The Magic Man!@DonMadgeMMA gets the UD to start the card! #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/iV79ae7zjE

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: DON MADGE VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: DON MADGE VIA TKO

Andrews: Give Ziam credit for hanging in there, but most times there’s no substitute for experience in the octagon.

ZAK CUMMINGS VS. OMARI AKHMEDOV

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170352018814189568?s=20

WINNER: OMARI AKHMEDOV VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: OMARI AKHMEDOV VIA UD 

Andrews: The sun is setting for Cummings.

NORDINE TALEB VS. MUSLIM SALIKHOV 

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170357629681430528?s=20

WINNER: MUSLIM SALIKHOV VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 4:26

ANDREWS PREDICTION: NORDINE TALEB VIA UD

Andrews: Taleb got caught. Big time.

BELAL MUHAMMAD VS. TAKASHI SATO

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170365087342743552?s=20

WINNER: BELAL MUHAMMAD VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R3 1:55

ANDREWS PREDICTION: BELAL MUHAMMAD VIA UD

Andrews: Muhammad had an entire country in his corner. He used it to his advantage.

TEEMU PACKALEN VS. OTTMAN AZAITAR

OH. MY. GOODNESS. 🤯@OttmanAzaitar #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/J4b483n6XH

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: OTTMAN AZAITAR VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 3:33

ANDREWS PREDICTION: OTTMAN AZAITAR VIA TKO

Andrews: Ottman gets it done. No octagon jitters here!

SARAH MORAS VS. LIANA JOJUA 

That'll do it! 💪

🇨🇦 @SarahCheesecake brought it #InAbuDhabi! pic.twitter.com/3adkwAdiQy

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: SARAH MORAS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 2:26

ANDREWS PREDICTION: SARAH MORAS VIA UD

Andrews: Good win for Moras, but she has to make weight.

ZUBAIARA TUKHUGOV VS. LERONE MURPHY 

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170387848626749440?s=20

WINNER: DRAW (28-29, 29-28, 28-28)

Andrews: Props to Murphy for competing like a seasoned veteran in his first UFC bout.

#5 JOANNE CALDERWOOD VS. #6 ANDREA LEE 

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170392804943515648?s=20

WINNER: JOANNE CALDERWOOD VIA SD (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDREA LEE VIA UD

Andrews: It was close, but Calderwood has seen the other end of these decisions before. She finally got one in her favour.

MAIN CARD 

MAIRBEK TAISUMOV VS. CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA 

Let's see 'em! 🗒

What are your scorecards looking like⁉️ #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/LiW663b0Cs

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA VIA UD (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAIRBEK TAISUMOV VIA TKO

Andrews: Ferreira used his experience and smarts to outwork Taisumov.

#4 CURTIS BLAYES VS. #9 SHAMIL ABDURAKHIMOV 

D O M I N A N T !

🇺🇸 @RazorBlaydes265 backs up the talk #InAbuDhabi! pic.twitter.com/zpw9CFGv24

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: CURTIS BLAYDES VIA TKO (ELBOW AND PUNCHES) 

ANDREWS PREDICTION: CURTIS BLAYDES VIA UD

Andrews: Good win for Curtis, especially with the finish.

ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS. DAVI RAMOS 

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1170419023328071681?s=20

WINNER: ISLAM MAKHACHEV VIA UD (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ISLAM MAKHACHEV VIA UD

Andrews: How Ramos survived the last round, I’ll never know.

EDSON BARBOZA VS. PAUL FELDER

OOOOOH!

The spinning backfist lands for @EdsonBarbozaJR but @FelderPaul just EATS IT! #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/Vza1yRRjdn

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: PAUL FELDER VIA SD (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: EDSON BARBOZA VIA UD

Andrews: It must have been the final seconds of the last round that swayed the judges. I thought Barboza won.

MAIN EVENT

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VS. DUSTIN POIRIER 

2️⃣8️⃣-0️⃣!!!

The standard for all LWs to be judged! @TeamKhabib #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/oRuw9AGWHo

— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019

WINNER: KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R3 2:06

ANDREWS PREDICTION: KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VIA SUBMISSION

Andrews: True to form, Khabib wore out Dustin, then choked him out. Is Tony Ferguson next?

@kenaiandrews