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The highly anticipated return of Conor McGregor is set to take place Saturday night (Sunday morning local time) when the former two-division champion meets old rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
A lot has changed since McGregor stopped Poirier in the first round more than six years ago at UFC 178. McGregor became the biggest star in the UFC while also becoming the first fighter to hold world titles in two divisions simultaneously. Poirier, meanwhile, built himself back up with marquee wins over Eddie Alvarez, Max Holloway, Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje while also claiming the interim UFC lightweight title.
MORE: McGregor poised to become the best version of himself after finding calm amid chaos
Aside from their accomplishments, both McGregor and Poirier have seen their lives change outside the Octagon. Both have become fathers and are now fighting for more than just themselves.
Unlike their first meeting, there has been no bad blood; McGregor appears to have put his controversial past behind him and will enter the Octagon as a competitor who has seemingly found a new reason for fighting. Poirier made the mistake of allowing McGregor to get into his head before their first fight; this time, a seasoned and mature fighter will stand across the cage from the sport’s biggest star as he attempts to stake his claim as the best lightweight in the world
There is a lot at stake in this fight as Khabib Nurmagomedov remains retired. The winner will certainly be near the front of the line for a title opportunity while the loser will fall to the back of the pack.
The co-main event features another pair of lightweights who are jockeying for position in the title picture. Michael Chandler will make his UFC debut against the battle-tested Dan Hooker. Chandler arrives after a stint in Bellator, where he is widely recognized as one of the greatest fighters ever in that organization. Can he prove that he’s worthy of having his name among the best in the UFC, too, or will Hooker turn back the challenge?
Sporting News is tracking live fight updates and highlights from Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2. Follow below for complete results from UFC 257’s main event and undercard.
MORE: Save over 30% when you buy UFC 257 and an ESPN+ Annual Plan for only $89.98
Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier live updates, highlights from UFC 257
McGregor vs. Poirier
12:19 a.m.: McGregor enters first and the crowd roars in approval. He looks calm and at ease.
12:13 a.m.: It is now time for the main event as Dustin Poirier looks to get revenge against Conor McGregor in a rematch six years in the making.
Michael Chandler squashes Dan Hooker in UFC debut.
Round 1 (12:10 a.m.): Chandler starts by pressuring Hooker. Not a whole lot happening in the first minute. Leg kicks by Hooker as Chandler continues to chase. Chandler with a right hand. Another leg kick hurts Chandler. Chandler smashes Hooker with a left hand! Hooker is in trouble! Chandler pounces and this one is OVER!
11:48 p.m.: Up next is Michael Chandler’s UFC debut against Dan Hooker. This is certainly no easy task for Chandler as Hooker is coming off of a Fight of the Year contender against Dustin Poirier.
Joanne Calderwood outstrikes Jessica Eye for decision
11:44 p.m: After three rounds, it looks like Calderwood will take the decision as she was the sharper and more consistent striker throughout the fight. She found a way to always land an extra strike on the break and neutralized Eye’s advances. But we’ll see how the judges have it.
11:31 p.m.: We’re only one round in but Eye and Calderwood are pushing a frantic pace with an endless barrage of punches and kicks coming from both sides. This one is shaping up to be a good one.
11:15 p.m.: Jessica Eye aims to climb back into title contention but has to face Joanne Calderwood, who has expressed just how much she doesn’t like Eye. Calderwood is coming off of a submission loss to Jennifer Maia while Eye looks to bound back after a decision loss to Cynthia Calvillo last June.
Makhmud Muradov finishes Andrew Sanchez in the third round
11:12 p.m.: Makhmud Muradov collected another third-round finish by stopping Andrew Sanchez. Muradov was faster, stronger and more persistent throughout the fight. Sanchez was in trouble early as Muradov scored with numerous calf kicks. Once he had Sanchez slowed down, he began picking him off with punches. He only gained momentum as the fight progressed and was in a full rhythm entering the final frame. Sanchez landed a right hand but walked right into an overhand right that shook him up. With Sanchez unable to find his equilibrium, Muradov hunted him down with punches and kicks until the referee called it off.
10:47 p.m.: Up next is TUF 23 winner Andrew Sanchez as he faces Makhmud Muradov in middleweight action.
Marina Rodriguez stops Amanda Ribas in the second
10:34 p.m.: After being planted on her back for much of the first round, Marina Rodriguez made sure that she wouldn’t take her place on the canvas in the second frame. With a distinct striking advantage, Rodriguez kept her distance and smashed Ribas with a right hand that sent her to the ground. Rodriguez pounced and it appeared that referee Herb Dean had stopped the fight. He didn’t and Rodriguez needed to step back in and finish what she started. She did just that with a brutal straight right that ended things once and for all.
10:14 p.m.: We’re kicking off the main card with Marina Rodriguez taking on Amanda Ribas in strawweight action. But, before we get into that fight, drones have flooded the arena!
10:00 p.m.: Tsarukyan was simply too much for Frevola as his grappling and wrestling neutralized his opponent from the outset. 10 takedown attempts proved to be too much as Tsarukyan earned the unanimous decision. Tsarukyan is going to be a problem in the division. We’re headed toward the main card!
9:41 p.m.: The final fight on the televised prelims is up next and takes place under curious circumstances. Matt Frevola takes on Arman Tsarukyan in a catchweight bout. Frevola was originally set to take on Ottman Azaitar until Azaitar was removed from the card, and the UFC, for violating COVID-19 safety protocols after attempting to sneak a teammate into his hotel room in Abu Dhabi. It was absurd and cost Azaitar his UFC career. Fortunately for Frevola, Tsarukyan needed an opponent after Nasrat Haqparast was removed due to illness. And here we are.
9:37 p.m.: Brad Tavares earned a decision over Antonio Carlos Junior in middleweight action. The takedown defense from Tavares was impressive as he prevented “Shoeface” from bringing the fight to the canvas. He also showcased some solid counterstriking. That performance is a start for Tavares as he attempts to work his way up the middleweight ladder.
9:01 p.m.: Just when you thought we were heading to another decision, Pena managed to get McMann’s back in the final round and cinch in a rear-naked choke to earn the submission victory. It’s a win that Pena needed to end a skid as she tries to work her way back into title contention. The best part was that Pena called out Amanda Nunes and accused the champion of “ducking” her. Interesting.
8:45 p.m.: Welcome to Sporting News’ coverage of UFC 257: McGregor vs. Poirier 2. As we continue through the prelims, we have had a stretch of three consecutive decisions. Sara McMann and Julianna Pena are up now. Will this fight also be decided by the judges or will Pena or McMann take it out of their hands.
McGregor vs. Poirier 2 start time
- Early prelims: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Prelims: 8 p.m. ET
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET
- Live stream: ESPN+
The main card of UFC 257 is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET, following the early prelims (6:30 p.m. ET) and preliminaries (8 p.m. ET).
How to watch McGregor vs. Poirier 2 on PPV
- UFC 257 early prelims TV channel: ESPN+, UFC FIght Pass
- UFC 257 prelims TV channel: ESPN+, ESPN 2
- UFC 257 main card channel: ESPN+ (pay-per-view)
The early prelims and preliminaries at UFC 257 are free to watch on ESPN+ for those who are already subscribed to the streaming service. The pay-per-view portion (i.e., the main card) can be purchased for $69.99. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $89.99, which includes the fight and an annual subscription to ESPN+.
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
UFC 257 fight card
Main card
- Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier; lightweights
- Michael Chandler def. Dan Hooker via 1st round TKO (2:30)
- Joanne Calderwood def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 & 29-28)
- Marina Rodriguez def. Amanda Ribas via 2nd round TKO (:54)
- Makhmud Muradov def. Andrew Sanchez via 3rd round TKO (2:59)
Prelims
- Arman Tsarukyan def. Matt Frevola via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 & 30-26)
- Brad Tavares def. Antonio Carlos Junior via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 & 29-28)
- Julianna Pena def. Sara McMann via 3rd round submission (3:39)
- Marcin Prachnio def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 & 29-28)
Early prelims
- Movsar Evloev def. Nik Lentz via split decision (29-28, 29-28 & 28-29)
- Amir Albazi def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 & 29-28)
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