Conor McGregor suffers shock defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Scotland's Joanne Calderwood beats Jessica Eye in flyweight battle
Michael Chandler stuns Dan Hooker before McGregor's comeback fight
Event held with 2,000 fans present at 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi
American Michael Chandler makes his long-awaited UFC debut in the co-main event next in a lightweight bout against New Zealand's Dan Hooker.
The 34-year-old Chandler is a three-time Bellator lightweight champion and MMA fans have been eager to see him showcase his skills in the UFC.
Image source, Getty ImagesWith the millions Conor McGregor has earned during his career, some people have questioned his motivation to keep on fighting.
The Irishman explained his motivation in the pre-fight press conference, saying his drive to create fighting highlights is what keeps him going.
"All the money, all the belts, that comes and goes. You know what lives on? Fight highlights," McGregor said.
Poirier v McGregor: I want my highlight reel to be like a movie - McGregor
She's done it!
Scotland's Joanne Calderwood secures a unanimous decision win over Jessica Eye.
Calderwood says she is eyeing a flyweight title fight against champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Image source, UFCEye v Calderwood R3
Calderwood lands a knee to Eye's face towards the end of the fight which draws blood.
Has the 34-year-old done enough to win the bout?
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier thinks so.
Eye v Calderwood R2
Calderwood lands a nice takedown in round two but lets her American opponent up - she wants to beat her up on her feet.
More knees and front kicks have the Scottish fighter in control but then Eye lands a takedown of her own towards the end of the second round.
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Josh Land: McGregor win and a Root 100 please.
You can follow Joe Root and the England cricket team's exploits here.
Eye v Calderwood R1
Scotland's Joanne Calderwood has landed some solid knees and kicks but Jessica Eye has responded with punches.
Calderwood's coach tells her to slow down and stop trying to force the clinch at the end of the first round.
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Coming up next, Scotland's Joanne Calderwood takes on American Jessica Eye in a flyweight bout.
The 34-year-old Calderwood was Scotland's first ever professional MMA fighter and has been fighting in the UFC for over six years.
She will be hoping a win over Jessica Eye could kickstart a string of victories in the hope of putting herself in the frame to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the title.
Image source, Chris UngerJoanne Calderwood kicks opponent Jennifer Maia at UFC Fight Night in August 2020
Uzbekistan's Makhmud Muradov has beaten American Andrew Sanchez in the third round, a huge overhand right leading to the stoppage.
The middleweight then asks UFC President Dana White after the fight why he's not following him on Instagram.
Surely you have to after that performance, Dana?
From the epic rivalry with Nate Diaz to the humbling and controversial defeat at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov; Conor McGregor's career is littered with stand-out moments.
Take a look back at the fights which have made him the most recognisable athlete in UFC history here.
Image source, Aaron MartinGet involved - #bbcufc or text 81111 (UK only)
Many critics are predicting an early knockout for McGregor, with Poirier's best chance being if he can take the fight to the later rounds.
"If Conor gets it his way, he will win within three rounds, but if it goes the distance, Poirier is the favourite," said UFC welterweight Danny Roberts.
How do you think the fight will go? Get in touch using #bbcufc, external or texting 81111 (UK only).
McGregor vs Poirier 2: MMA coach breaks down fighting styles ahead of rematch
For Dustin Poirier, tonight gives him the opportunity to avenge the defeat he suffered at the hands of Conor McGregor seven years ago.
After rebuilding his career, he went on to earn notable wins against some of the UFC's top talent, including Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker and Max Holloway, where he won the interim lightweight world title.
Conor McGregor might be the favourite with the bookies, but you can never count 'the Diamond' out.
Find out more about Dustin Poirier here.
Is Conor McGregor's next opponent being underestimated?
Brazilian fighter Marina Rodriguez has beaten compatriot Amanda Ribas in the first fight on tonight's main card.
The referee stepped in to stop the strawweight fight following a sharp elbow and a heavy straight right hand from Rodriguez in the second round.
"Guys, now you know who I am," she said to the crowd in the post-fight interview.
Image source, UFCAccording to McGregor, before signing to fight Dustin Poirier he had been frustrated at the UFC's failure to book him a fight in the last 12 months.
In June he retired for the third time in his career, saying he was "bored of the game".
"Sometimes you have to take yourself out of a situation if you're not being appreciated," McGregor recently told ESPN, external.
The 'Notorious' is back tonight however, with reports from his camp saying he is now more focused than ever.
Away from the fighting world, the Irishman has been embroiled in controversies over recent years, including guilty pleas to disorderly conduct and assault charges in 2018 and 2019.
He also earned plaudits last year when pledging to buy more than one million euros worth of personal protective equipment for hospitals in Ireland fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Image source, Getty ImagesTonight's main event between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is a rematch of their fiery 2014 fight, which McGregor won via a first-round knockout.
The win served as a platform for McGregor, as he gained global stardom and put himself in the frame for a shot at the UFC Featherweight world title.
"McGregor went from being an Irish commodity, to a global commodity after the Poirier fight," journalist Nick Peet told BBC Sounds' MMA Podcast.
Poirier meanwhile, had to regroup and work himself back up the UFC rankings.
There is a great mutual respect between the two now, with McGregor impressed at how the American rebuilt his career.
"After that first loss, he rose up, became champion, he's given so much back and I'm honoured to share the octagon with this man," said McGregor in Thursday's pre-fight press conference.
For the second year running, Conor McGregor is headlining the UFC's first flagship event.
Tonight's showpiece takes place on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, which has become known as Fight Island during the coronavirus pandemic.
It staged numerous shows behind closed doors at the Flash Forum, adhering to strict Covid-19 protocols, across two stints in 2020.
Now the UFC is back and not only does it has a brand spanking new home but fans are allowed too. Up to 2,000 will be in the Etihad Arena, an 18,000-capacity venue opened late last year.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFor the first time in 12 months, Conor McGregor returns to the octagon as he takes on Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout at UFC 257.
A lot has changed in the world since the Irishman's win over Donald Cerrone in Las Vegas just over a year ago, however one thing remains the same; McGregor is still the hottest commodity in the UFC.
This one should be a cracker.