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371 days on from his most recent bout, McGregor was knocked out for the first time in his MMA career and suffered a third loss inside the Octagon at the hands of Poirier.
:gem::gem::gem:#UFC257 pic.twitter.com/6ExH4YagRy
- UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) January 24, 2021
'The Diamond' put the dual-weight champion away in the second round after a stunning performance in UFC's first pay-per-view of the year at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.
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And lightweight champion Khabib took to Twitter to taung his long-time rival and the man he submitted at UFC 229 in October 2018.
The Dagestani fighter had actually fancied 'The Notorious' in his prediction prior to the fight but afterwards said McGregor's loss was down to him changing sparring partners and "sparring with little kids".
Speaking in a post-fight interview, a gutted McGregor gave credit to opponent Poirier for levelling matters in their series and believed his inactivity was costly.
UFC's biggest box office star also stated he would be coming back for another fight in 2021.
"I have to dust it off and come back."
Conor McGregor is prepared to go back to the drawing board. #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/vjoqxBudZL
- UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 24, 2021
However, the latest loss almost definitely ends the possibility of a big-money rematch between Khabib and McGregor in the future.
In fact, the latest update from UFC president Dana White is that it is not looking as though the 29-0 fighter will come out of retirement.
He had promised his mother to stay retired following the tragic passing of his father and training. White has been doing his best to persuade him to fight once more but 'The Eagle' doesn't see the point and believes he is "levels above these guys".
"I'm so many levels above these guys."
That's what Khabib Nurmagomedov told Dana White following the conclusion of #UFC257
pic.twitter.com/ZkVpCPkvXK
- Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 24, 2021
Dana on Khabib: "He said to me, Dana, be honest with yourself. I'm levels above these guys"
White adds that a Khabib return doesn't sound very promising.
- Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 24, 2021
White did add that Michael Chandler and Poirier, the two men victorious in the two big bouts in the lightweight division at UFC 257, could meet for the lightweight title if Khabib's stance does not change.
Dana White says if Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired, Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler seems to make the most sense#UFC257 https://t.co/z5LMjSzecO
- MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) January 24, 2021
Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA