Conor McGregor has posted an update of his badly swollen shin following his return to the octagon - and it highlights how deadly those Dustin Poirier leg kicks really were.
It's been 12 days since the Irishman suffered his first-ever knockout defeat at the hands of lightweight rival Poirier in their eagerly-anticipated rematch at UFC 257.
Despite many tipping McGregor to return in style, 'The Diamond' ended things early in the second after doing some serious damage to his opponent's calf.
In fact, a slow-mo video shows the exact moment McGregor's leg buckled as a result of those kicks.
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You can see McGregor move his leg to launch an attack, but the initial damage from the strikes stopped his movement completely.
McGregor left the Etihad Arena on a single crutch as he made his way to the post-fight press conference after a classy octagon interview.
Fans were understandably concerned after the bout but despite there being major damage to the leg, the former featherweight and lightweight champion reportedly trained less than 24 hours after his defeat.
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Even 12 days after the UFC event in Abu Dhabi, the effects of Poirier's leg kicks are visable.
The Crumlin-born fighter posted a snap of his swollen calf on Instagram and it doesn't look good.
McGregor spoke in depth about his defeat to Poirier in an Instagram post this week, explaining why he "deserved" those brutal leg kicks.
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"I enjoyed racking up some more time inside the famed UFC Octagon. 40 seconds in three years is all I'd had up to this bout, I was savouring every second and enjoying my work." said the Irishman.
"A little single-disciplined in my approach and stance with mostly boxing. It's what I get for picking this bout and opponent as a precursor to a boxing match against Pacman."
McGregor continued, saying: "I deserved to get the legs kicked off me going in with this thinking. This is not the game to play around with.
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"Besides this, my shots where sharp and I was in full control. Albeit the leg attacks where building up on me throughout the course. 18 in total thrown at me, with the final one buckling my leg fully, that was that.
"The peroneal nerve compromised. Fascinating! First time to experience it. Then a tremendous finishing flurry by my opponent. Hats off! A well fought fight by 'The Diamond.'
"One a piece now with a Trilogy bout for all the marbles! Wow! Exciting! Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't meant to be. This is exactly how this was."
Featured Image Credit: UFC/Conor McGregor - InstagramTopics: Conor Mcgregor, Dustin Poirier, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA
