Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return resulted in a shocking upset as Dustin Poirier finished the former two-division champion in the main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Poirier earned a little bit of redemption after McGregor knocked him out in 2014 at UFC 178.
McGregor was in attack mode from the start and was able to land his jabs and powerful left hand. But Poirier's game plan seemingly surprised McGregor as calf kicks took out his base. Poirier then went at McGregor with sharp jabs and powerful punches until he knocked out the sport's biggest star.
After the fight, athletes and celebrities turned to social media to praise Poirier's impressive win.
Solid performance by @DustinPoirier congrats on the win!! Rest up @TheNotoriousMMA hope to see you back in there soon 💪🏽!! #UFC257
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) January 24, 2021
That was impressive @DustinPoirier ! Go again @TheNotoriousMMA @ufc #UFC257
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) January 24, 2021
This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 24, 2021
Damn @DustinPoirier put on a clinic. Smart and technical.
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) January 24, 2021
Congratulations DP 👊🏾
— BONY (@JonnyBones) January 24, 2021
I can't believe that just happened! Congrats @DustinPoirier!
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) January 24, 2021
Took @TheNotoriousMMA out! @ufc #McGregorPoirier #UFC257
Beautiful thing about the fight game, anything can happen! Congrats to @DustinPoirier Huge win! #UFC257
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) January 24, 2021
Im a Conor fan... just didn't look himself to me. Not just because he lost... the whole build up https://t.co/JsV5Ge7Zqz
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) January 24, 2021
Congrats @DustinPoirier 💎 #UFC257
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) January 24, 2021
I've known @DustinPoirier since his first or second fight in the ufc and so happy for him to be now one of the best fighters in the world #ufc257
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) January 24, 2021
4 man tourney for title- Poirier, Chandler, Olivera and Gaethje!
— Funky (@Benaskren) January 24, 2021
Can't get much better than walking from the octagon to the locker room after a KO over Conor McGregor. Great job by Dustin! Hope he enjoys this moment!
— Mike Swick (@officialswick) January 24, 2021
#UFC257
Congrats to @dustinpoirier
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) January 24, 2021
Thanks to the #ufc the division has a new blood with @mikechandlermma
Now excited for fights again!
Thanks #ufc#danawhite pic.twitter.com/Q0MMKsQ9SN
Give this guy the respect that he deserves :flushed: #UFC257
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 24, 2021
Wow amazing performance #bullyknows
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 24, 2021
"I'm happy with the man I see in the mirror"...love it!! #ufc257
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 24, 2021
Those leg kicks......key to victory 100%!
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) January 24, 2021
Diamonds are forever and I told u DP!!!#UFC257
— Jamahal "Sweet Dreams" Hill (@JamahalH) January 24, 2021
Poirier reminding the world who he is!! Very impressive performance from Dustin, especially utilizing those calf kicks. I don't think Conor realized what those felt like. #UFC257
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 24, 2021
Wow!!!!
— ♛Chandler Jones (@chanjones55) January 24, 2021
Wow! Great win for Dustin! Congratulations!! #ufc257
— The Golden Boy (@edmenshahbazyan) January 24, 2021
I think I would retire Conor with my kicks #UFC257
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) January 24, 2021