UFC 242 video recap: Khabib dominates, submits Poirier in round 3

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his UFC lightweight title by submitting Dustin Poirier in the third round at UFC 242.

Khabib Nurmagomedov put on a dominant performance in the main event of UFC 242 by submitting Dustin Poirier in the third round with a rear-naked choke.

What was the high point of the fight?

Nurmagomedov had an excellent first round, shooting in on a single leg takedown and eventually getting to mount in which he landed heavy elbows as the round came to a close. Poirier landed a hard right hand at the beginning of round two and started to put Khabib on the back foot, but a double leg from Nurmagomedov started to turn the round in his favour as his work on the ground continued.

In the third, Poirier went all in a guillotine after a takedown from Khabib, but Khabib survived an eventually got back control and secured the rear-naked choke to finish the fight and improve his flawless record to 28-0.

Where do these two go from here?

The win for Khabib is his second successful title defence, although Poirer had his moments in the fight, Khabib’s dominance in the fight was undeniable as he clearly won every round. It’s obvious that former interim champ Tony Ferguson is next in line for the undefeated Nurmagomedov.

Poirier should hold his head high in the loss, and it’s hard not to forget the lengthy list of names “Diamond” defeated on his way to the fight with Khabib. Wins against Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje prove Poirier is at the very top of the lightweight division, and maybe a rematch against Conor McGregor makes sense next for Poirier.

Watch it now, later or never?

It was a such a dominant performance by Khabib, watch it now.