UFC 242 live results: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 242: Khabib vs. Poirier, emanating from the du Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The Octagon heads to Abu Dhabi for the first time in over five years for a lightweight title unification bout and the return of one of the biggest stars on the current UFC roster.

UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to action for the first time in 2019 when he takes on Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier in a unification bout. Nurmagomedov has been out of action since defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October, serving a suspension due to the post-fight brawl after that fight. Poirier became the interim champion after defeating Max Holloway at UFC 236 in April in one of the best fights of 2019.

In the co-main event, it is a lightweight bout with fireworks written all over it as Edson Barboza and Paul Felder battle for the second time. Barboza defeated Felder in a July 2015 bout and Felder looks to even the score.

Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Curtis Blaydes, as well as a pair of lightweight fights as Islam Makhachev takes on Davi Ramos, and Mairbek Taisumov squares off against Diego Ferreira. Preliminary card action will be capped off with a women’s flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood and Andrea Lee.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 10:15 AM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

ESPN+/UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 10:15 AM ET/7:15 AM PT

> Don Madge (8-3-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Fares Ziam (10-2, 0-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Madge looking for a takedown right away as they clinch. They battle for underhooks against the fence. Madge lands a knee and Ziam lands an elbow. Madge working hard for a takedown against the fence but Ziam defending well. They are broken up by the ref. Madge with a body kick and he clinches up but Ziam defends the takedown attempt. They continue to battle in the clinch against the fence but nothing happening. 10-9 Madge.

They clinch right back up to start the second round. Ziam has Madge pushed against the fence but the separate. Ziam with a short uppercut and they clinch again. Madge lands some punches as they break but Ziam lands a knee. Madge goes for a takedown but Ziam defends. They continue to battle for position in the clinch. They break but clinch again and are quickly broken up by the ref. They trade kicks and clinch back up. Madge gets a late takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Madge, 20-18 Madge.

They clinch right back up to start the third. They continue to battle for underhooks but neither is doing much of anything. They break and Ziam misses some punches and Madge drops down and gets a takedown. Madge working with some punches and elbows from the top. Madge stands and Ziam with an upkick but Madge lands some punches and goes to the half-guard and briefly passes to mount. Madge lands from top to end the fight. 10-9 Madge, 30-27 Madge.

Official Result- Don Madge def. Fares Ziam by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Omari Akhmedov (18-4-1, 6-3-1 UFC) vs. Zak Cummings (23-6, 8-3 UFC)
Middleweights

They are feeling each other out and Cummings lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. Cummings tries a high kick but Akhmedov slips away. Cummings drops Akhmedov with a left hand and then lands another but Akhmedov quickly gets up and lands a punch. Akhmedov has a cut under his eye. Akhmedov gets a big slam on Cummings and is working in the half-guard. Akhmedov with some elbows from the top. Cummings tries to sweep but Akhmedov quickly grabs him and keeps him on the mat. They end the round on the mat. 10-9 Akhmedov.

Cummings with a body kick. Akhmedov with a right hand and then lands a left hook. Cummings with a leg kick. Akhmedov with a big body kick. They trade punches. Cummings with a leg kick but eats a counter right hand from Akhemdov. Akhmedov misses a spinning back fist and Cummings lands a combo. Akhmedov gets a late takedown and lands from the top at the end. 10-9 Akhmedov, 20-18 Akhmedov.

They trade early to start the third and both are looking for openings. Both landing punches and Akhmedov shoots for a takedown but Cummings easily defends. Akhmedov gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Akhmedov with some elbows from the top at the end. 10-9 Akhmedov, 30-27 Akhmedov.

Official Result- Omari Akhmedov def. Zak Cummings by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Nordine Taleb (15-6, 7-4 UFC) vs. Muslim Salikhov (13-2, 1-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Salikhov with some early leg kicks. Salikhov with a spin kick to the body that backs Taleb up. Taleb with a groin strike and we have a timeout. Back to action and Salikov with a big leg kick after Taleb lands a punch. They trade leg kicks. Salikhov with a spin kick that misses and Taleb lands a counter right hand. Taleb with a high kick. Salikhov with a right hand. Salikhov then lands a massive right hand that knocks Taleb out cold. Absolutely brutal finish as Salikhov gets the win.

Official Result- Muslim Salikov def. Nordine Taleb by TKO (punch) at 4:26 of Round 1

> Belal Muhammad (15-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. Takashi Sato (15-2, 1-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Muhammad with a jab and Sato lands a counter left. Muhammad with a left hook. They trade and Muhammad lands a left hand. Sato with the jab. Muhammad with a left hand and Sato stumbles. Muhammad shoots for a takedown and ends up taking the back with the body lock. Muhammad with a takedown and separates and lands a left hand as they stand. Sato with the jab. Muhammad with a right hand to the body and a left to the jaw. Muhammad goes for a takedown and grabs the back. They break. Muhammad with a high kick. Muhammad with a takedown slam and takes the back and looks to set up a choke. Muhammad with punches from the back. Muhammad ends the round with back control. 10-9 Muhammad.

Sato lands a left hand. Muhammad with a left hook. They trade and Muhammad with a right hand to the body followed by a left to the head. Muhammad gets a brief takedown and they get up and break. Muhammad with a body-head combo again. Muhammad shoots for a takedown and has the back of Sato against the fence but they break. Muhammad with a right hand. Muhammad with an overhand right. Muhammad with a combo. Muhammad has shown non-stop pressure. Sato gets a trip takedown into side control. Sato ends the round in this position. Close round. 10-9 Muhammad, 20-18 Muhammad.

They trade to start the third and both are landing. Muhammad lands a punch to the eye of Sato and Sato has a cut open up. Muhammad with a high kick. Muhammad shoots and grabs the back and almost has a takedown but Sato keeps upright and they break. Muhammad with a right hand. Muhammad gets Sato down and has the back and has a tight rear-naked choke locked in and he gets Sato to tap! Nice win by Muhammad, his first career submission win.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Takashi Sato by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:55 of Round 3

FX/ESPN+ PRELIMS | 12 PM ET/9 AM PT

> Ottman Azaitar (11-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Teemu Packalen (8-2, 1-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Both throwing big punches early. Azaitar lands a right hand. Azaitar lands a right hand and then lands some punches. Packalen clinches and lands some knees but Azaitar lands punches. They break and Azaitar landing lots of big punches and Packalen is in trouble and circling away. Azaitar lands a right hand that knocks Packalen down for a second. Packalen shoots for a takedown but Azaitar gets away. Azaitar then knocks Packalen out cold with a brutal right hand. That was vicious. Packalen did a faceplant and was shaking on the ground. One of the most brutal knockouts of the year.

Official Result- Ottman Azaitar def. Teemu Packalen by knockout (punch) at 3:33 of Round 1

> Liana Jojua (7-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Sarah Moras (5-5, 2-4 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights* (Moras missed weight by 2 pounds)

They trade early. Moras pressuring Jojua up against the fence. They clinch and Moras has Jojua up against the fence. They trade knees. They continue to battle in the clinch. Moras with more control. Boring round. 10-9 Moras.

They both throw looping punches to start the second and neither landing much of anything. Moras pressures Jojua up against the fence in the clinch. They trade knees and Moras gets the back but switches back to the front. Jojua gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Moras. Moras tries for an armbar and a triangle but moves to the armbar but Jojua escapes. Jojua gets back in the guard and lands some elbows on Moras. Moras is able to reverse and now gets in the guard of Jojua. Jojua controlling posture but Moras lands from the top. Moras with some elbows but they didn’t seem to land. Moras ends the round on top. 10-9 Moras, 20-18 Moras.

Jojua gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Moras but Moras nullifying any offense from the top and they get up. Jojua tries a takedown but Moras stuffs it and takes the back and then reverse and Moras gets the mount on Jojua and lands some elbows. Jojua trying to scramble out and gives up the back. Moras landing punches and elbows from the top. Moras with more big shots and the referee stops the fight. Moras gets her first stoppage in the UFC.

Official Result- Sarah Moras def. Liana Jojua by TKO (strikes) at 2:26 of Round 3

> Zubaira Tukhugov (18-4, 3-1 UFC) vs. Lerone Murphy (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Murphy with a low kick to start off. They trade punches. Tukhugov drops Murphy with a left hand and starts landing punches. Murphy gets up but Tukhugov landing lots of punches looking to finish. Tukhugov gets a takedown against the fence and has Murphy pinned against the fence. They get up for a brief moment before Tukhugov takes him back down. Tukhugov in the half-guard. Tukhugov still working from the top as Murphy tries to scramble out. Tukhugov pushes him against the fence. Murphy went for a late kimura attempt but Tukhugov escaped. 10-9 Tukhugov.

They trade early and Murphy landing some leg kicks. They trade punches. Murphy with the double jab and follows it with a straight right hand. Tukhugov with an uppercut. They trade and Tukhugov gets a takedown and pushes Murphy against the fence. Murphy gets a guillotine choke locked in and it was in deep but Tukhugov able to escape and they get to their feet. Murphy with a right hand. They trade and Murphy lands an uppercut. Tukhugov is slowing down a little. Murphy lands some kicks and Tukhugov goes for a takedown to get himself out of trouble. Tukhugov gets a takedown. Tukhugov ends the round on top. Close round. 10-9 Murphy, 19-19.

Murphy with a side kick. Murphy with a left hand and Tukhugov lands a counter right hand. Murphy coming forward with punches as Tukhugov circles away. Tukhugov shoots and Murphy stuffs the takedown. Tukhugov with a right hand. Murphy lands an uppercut. They trade punches. Tukhugov gets the body lock. Tukhugov trying for a takedown but they separate. Murphy misses a right hand. Murphy with a body kick and Tukhugov grabs the leg and takes him down. Tukhugov has side control and then takes the back of Murphy. Tukhugov gets the top and Murphy tries to escape and gives up his back. Tukhugov is definitely tired and they stand. Tukhugov gets a brief takedown. Murphy with a jumping knee. 10-9 Tukhugov, 29-28 Tukhugov.

Official Result- Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Lerone Murphy ends in a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)

> Joanne Calderwood (#5, 13-4, 5-4 UFC) vs. Andrea Lee (#6, 11-2, 3-0 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

They trade early on. Calderwood with some teet kicks and lands a right hand. Lee with the jab. Calderwood with some front kicks and Lee landing the jab. They trade punches. Lee with a combo to the body. They trade kicks and then trade punches and Lee with a knee. Lee with a left hook to the body. Calderwood with some low kicks. Lee with some body punches and Calderwood lands a short knee. Lee with a low kick and Calderwood turns it into a takedown. They get right up and Calderwood lands a knee. Calderwood lands an elbow on the break and Lee falls down and is cut open, but she gets up. Calderwood with a high kick and Lee catches it and turns it into a takedown. Lee with some elbows from the top. Lee gets to side control and ends the round in that position. 10-9 Lee.

Calderwood coming out with kicks in the second. Calderwood with a right hand and Lee gets a body lock. Lee lands some knees and they break. They trade and Calderwood lands a knee. They trade kicks. Lee gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Lee has the body lock. They break and Calderwood lands a big elbow on the break. They trade punches and Calderwood lands a nice jab. Calderwood gets a late takedown but they trade as they get back to their feet at the end of the round. Close round. 10-9 Calderwood, 19-19.

They are both throwing to start the third round. Lee lands a straight right hand. Calderwood with a combo in return ending with a high kick. Calderwood coming forward and landing teet kicks but Lee is firing back punches. They trade punches. Calderwood with a front kick to the face and Lee gets a clinch against the fence. They trade as they break. Lee shoots for a takedown and completes it. Lee grabs the back of Calderwood as they stand. Lee lands a knee and pushes Calderwood against the fence. They break. Calderwood with a front kick. Calderwood with a knee as Lee was shooting for a takedown. Calderwood has clinch advantage against the fence. Calderwood gets a brief takedown and has control as the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Calderwood, 29-28 Calderwood.

Official Result- Joanne Calderwood def. Andrea Lee by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 2 PM ET/11 AM PT

> Mairbek Taisumov (27-5, 7-1 UFC) vs. Diego Ferreira (15-2, 6-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Taisumov with a leg kick. Taisumov with a big leg kick. Taisumov lands a right hand. Taisumov with an uppercut and Ferreira counters with a right hand. Ferreira with a body kick. They clinch for a moment but break. Ferreira with a leg kick. Taisumov lands a big combo that stuns Ferreira but he circles away. Taisumov lands a right hand. Ferreira with a jab and follows it with a right hand. Taisumov with a leg kick. Ferreira lands a big right hand at the end. 10-9 Taisumov.

They trade punches to start the second. They trade and Ferreria lands a right hand. Ferreira with a right hand. Ferreira shoots for a takedown but Taisumov gets a judo throw and almost escapes but Ferreira still has the clinch control. There was a headbutt in there by Ferreira and they are separated. They trade. Ferreira with a body kick and he is far more active in this round. Ferreira with a leg kick. They trade punches and Taisumov lands a big left hook. Ferreira tries a takedown but Taisumov shakes him off. Ferreira with a spin kick at the end. 10-9 Ferreira, 19-19.

Ferreira with a high kick and then lands a combo. Taisumov really slowing down. Ferreira with constant pressure and lands a body kick. They trade punches and Ferreira with another body kick. Ferreira with a right hand. Ferreira with a head kick that stuns Taisumov and then lands a jab. Ferreira with a combination. Taisumov is bloody on the nose. Ferreira with a right hand and then a combo to the body. Ferreira stalking him down and landing kicks and punches. Ferreira with a right hand. Ferreira with a combo ending with a head kick. Ferreira lands punches late. 10-9 Ferreira, 29-28 Ferreira.

Official Result- Diego Ferreria def. Mairbek Taisumov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

> Curtis Blaydes (#4, 11-2 1 NC, 6-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (#9, 20-4, 5-2 UFC)
Heavyweights

Blaydes shoots right in for a takedown and gets it. Blaydes with punches from the top. They get to their feet. Blaydes gets another takedown. He gets into side control. They get to their feet. Abdurakhimov with an uppercut. Blaydes gets another takedown. He has the back. Blaydes with punches from the top. They get to their feet and Blaydes takes Abdurakhimov right back down. Blaydes with punches from the top. Blaydes gets the mount and was landing big punches and elbows as the round ended. That came very close to being a finish by Blaydes. Total dominating round. 10-8 Blaydes.

Blaydes gets an immediate takedown and is on top. Blaydes landing punches from the top and has back control. He is landing lots of punches and Abdurakhimov is being told to defend. Blaydes gets back to the half-guard. Blaydes lands a few more punches and Abdurakhimov is busted wide open and Marc Goddard stops the fight. Total domination by Blaydes in getting the win.

Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Shamil Abdurakhimov by TKO (punches) at 2:22 of Round 2

> Islam Makhachev (#15, 17-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Davi Ramos (10-2, 4-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They trade body kicks to start the fight. Crowd chanting loudly for Makhachev. Makhachev with a left hand. Makhachev with a high kick. Ramos attempts a takedown but Makhachev defends. Ramos with a right hand. They are both looking for openings and both looking to counter the other. Makhachev with a body punch. They both throw punches and Makhachev lands. Ramos misses a right hand. Real nothing round. 10-9 Makhachev.

Makhachev with a high kick and Ramos counters with a flurry of punches. They clinch and trade knees. They trade punches and break. Makhachev with a body kick. Makhachev with a left hand to the body. Ramos lands a left hand. Makhachev with a left hand. He lands another. They trade and Makhachev lands a knee. Makhachev with a left hand. They trade and Makhachev landing bunches of punches. 10-9 Makhachev, 20-18 Makhachev.

Makhachev drops Ramos with a huge knee and starts unloading punches on the ground looking to finish but Ramos is able to pull him into the guard. Makhachev working from the top and the guard and Ramos is looking a little tired. Makhachev landing more punches from the top as he has Ramos’ legs pinned against the fence. Makhachev moves back to the guard and landing more from the top. Makhachev landing more from the top but Ramos landing a little from the bottom. Makhachev ends the fight on top. 10-9 Makhachev, 30-26 Makhachev.

Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Davi Ramos by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)

> Edson Barboza (#7, 20-7, 14-7 UFC) vs. Paul Felder (#10, 16-4, 8-4 UFC)
Lightweights

Barboza with some calf kicks and then a body kick. Felder with a left hand. They clinch and Felder pushes Barboza up against the fence. They break. Felder with a body punch and Barboza lands a counter left hand. Felder with a leg kick. They trade and Felder pushes Barboza against the fence and they break. Barboza with a body kick. Felder with a combo and most miss. Barboza with a leg kick. They trade punches. Felder misses a spin kick. Barboza with a big body kick. Barboza with a high body kick. Felder with a right hand. 10-9 Barboza.

They trade early. Both land leg kicks. Felder lands a left hook. Barboza gets a takedown. Felder with some elbows from the bottom. Barboza is cut open from the elbows. Barboza with punches from the top as Felder is landing elbows from the bottom. Felder looking for an armbar from the bottom. Barboza gets himself out of it and they get to their feet. Felder with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Felder with an uppercut and Barboza lands a counter left hook. Felder with a right hand to the body and they clinch. They break and both land punches in close range. Felder shoots for a takedown but Barboza defends. They end the round tied up against the fence. 10-9 Felder, 19-19.

They trade heavy punches to start the third. Barboza with a body kick. Felder comes forward and lands a combo. Felder landing the jab. Barboza lands a right hand. Felder lands a left hook. Barboza with a spinning back fist. Barboza with a step-in knee. Both land spinning stuff- Barboza a kick and Felder a punch. Felder with a combo. Felder coming forward and lands a right hand. Felder with the jab. Barboza with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. They break to the center. They trade and Felder defends a takedown attempt from Barboza. Barboza gets a brief late takedown. Super close fight. 10-9 Felder, 29-28 Felder.

Official Result- Paul Felder def. Edson Barboza by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)

> Khabib Nurmagomedov (C, 27-0, 11-0 UFC) vs. Dustin Poirier (IC, 25-5 1 NC, 17-4 1 NC UFC)
UFC Lightweight Championship

Both men being patient in the first minute. Poirier with a leg kick. Nurmagomedov with a combo and shoots for the takedown. Nurmagomedov gets Poirier down but they get up and Nurmagomedov has back control. They go to the mat and Nurmagomedov has the back. Nurmagomedov looking for the choke but moves to the top and has the mount. Nurmagomedov has the back again and looking for a choke. Nurmagomedov lands punches from the back. Nurmagomedov with more punches and he has a choke locked in. It is more of a neck crank but Nurmagomedov lets go. They get to their feet. Poirier with a knee to the body. Nurmagomedov gets the back and trips Poirier to the ground. They stand and Nurmagomedov with some knees and he then takes Poirier back down. Nurmagomedov has mount and lands some big elbows at the end and punches. Big round for Nurmagomedov. 10-8 Nurmagomedov.

Poirier with a leg kick. Nurmagomedov tries a flying knee but Poirier ducks away. Poirier lands a left hand. Poirier with a combo and Nurmagomedov is retreating. Both landed some good punches in there. They both land. Nurmagomedov with a leg kick. Nurmagomedov with a takedown. He gets to the side control. Nurmagomedov gets to the top and lands some punches. Poirier gives up his back and is cut open. They stand and Nurmagomedov trying for another takedown. They are clinched up against the fence but break. Nurmagomedov goes back for another takedown and has the back of Poirier. Nurmagomedov with a knee late. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 20-17 Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov lands a body kick. Nurmagomedov with a right hand. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown but Poirier has the neck and a guillotine choke locked in. It is tight and Nurmagomedov staying composed. Poirier still has it locked in. Nurmagomedov fighting it off and gets out. Nurmagomedov gets the back now. He has a rear-naked choke locked in and Poirier taps! Khabib Nurmagomedov gets the submission win in a truly classic performance to remain the undefeated champion.

Official Result- Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Dustin Poirier by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:06 of Round 3 to retain the UFC Lightweight Championship