Returning to the UFC octagon for the first time in a year, former two-weight champion McGregor was bidding to reassert him into title contention at 155lbs against Poirier – a man he defeated inside the first round when the pair met back in 2014.
UFC 257: Dustin Poirier KNOCKS OUT Conor McGregor in second round on Fight Island
This time it was a stunning reversal however as Poirier finished the Irishman with a dazzling second-round assault, rocking him with a left hand before following up with a barrage of blows as McGregor fell to the canvas and curled up against the cage.
It was the first ever non-submission defeat in McGregor’s career, and meant the Dubliner has lost two of his last three outings in the UFC octagon.
It also means McGregor can likely kiss goodbye to any hopes of running it back with Russian nemesis Khabib, who famously submitted the Irishman in their bitter grudge match in 2018.
In the build-up to UFC 257 it had been suggested by UFC boss Dana White that reigning lightweight champion Khabib could step out of retirement for one final time should he see something from the contenders on Fight Island – although that certainly did not come from McGregor.