The first round of the UFC 264 main event in Las Vegas on Saturday was eventful, with Dustin Poirier ultimately taking Conor McGregor to the ground as they exchanged strikes back and forth. But as the action moved back to the feet in the closing moments of Round 1, McGregor stepped backward and his foot landed awkwardly and resulted in an apparent serious leg injury to the Irish star.
McGregor was unable to stand up, and the doctors called an end to the fight, giving Poirier a TKO victory and a 2-1 edge in their series.
Many members of the UFC roster had instant reactions to McGregor's injury -- and Poirier's victory -- on social media.
Good always defeats evil.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 11, 2021
Very happy for @DustinPoirier I hope you will get the belt end of the year
Crazy to think that at the end of the weigh in Conor said he would be taken out on a stretcher. And now Conor gets taken out on a stretcher. Man this game we play is so crazy!!!! Hats off to the Diamond of Lafayette!! @DustinPoirier
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 11, 2021
@DustinPoirier BEAST!💥 speed recovery @TheNotoriousMMA 🙏🏼 @ufc #ufc264
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) July 11, 2021
Man, I wonder if he will ever fight again after this.. heal up champ, this is terrible
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 11, 2021
Yikes what a gross way to end a fight ... again !!! #UFC264
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 11, 2021
One does not simply learn to calfkick. If Dustin checked one of those that definitely helped that unfortunate break happen. Wild finish 😳 #UFC264
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) July 11, 2021
Broken ankle!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 11, 2021
Man there's so many crazy ways to lose a fight In this game that's why Khabib ending his career undefeated is crazy
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 11, 2021
👀 He broke his damn leg!! #ufc264
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) July 11, 2021
Wow that was a crazy round and to end that way is insane!!!#UFC264
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 11, 2021
His leg is in half and all he cares about is that it's a doctors stoppage. I'm going to feint! #UFC264
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) July 11, 2021
This game humbles #UFC264
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 11, 2021
Conor kept fighting till the bell that's tough
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) July 11, 2021