UAE sporting moments - No 4: Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Dustin Poirier as Abu Dhabi hosts UFC 242

2019 event was first of a five-year agreement signed between the capital and the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his win over Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crowd cheer at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge (winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts, Winner) and Zak Cummings in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts) and Takashi Satō in the early matches at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sarah Moras made history by winning the first ever female UFC fight in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: UAE jiu-jitsu fighter Faisal Al Ketbi. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: General sec of Abu Dhabi Sports council Aref Al Awani. Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans take pics. Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight Fans. Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans. Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Every day over three weeks, The National looks back at the 21 greatest moments in UAE sports history

Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Dustin Poirier and the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi had its crowning moment.

It had been too long since its last visit, but a five-year agreement signed between the capital and the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion was announced in April 2019. With it, the promise of world title fights annually. Central to the UFC’s mission to expand globally, it marked a seismic step for the sport in the region.

The company had come to Abu Dhabi before, in 2010 and 2014, but not like this. UFC 242 signalled the beginning of a new chapter for MMA in the Middle East, headlined by the title unification bout between undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov and interim belt-holder Poirier.

It provided a fitting conclusion to a weeklong stop in the emirate. For the first time, a series of events and fan activations, neatly packaged as Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, built steadily the anticipation.

Dana White added to the excitement just as the initial blows were struck at UFC 242 on September 7. Speaking to a small gathering of local reporters, the promotion's president trumpeted how that five-year vision for Abu Dhabi was "so next level, it's mind-boggling".

At fight night, The Arena, a packed, especially constructed venue – general-sale tickets sold out within 96 hours in June – whooped and hollered through 12 bouts before Nurmagomedov and Poirier took centre stage.

The champion, a native of Dagestan, Russia, was the undoubted favourite, with thousands of his compatriots present to cheer him on. Nurmagomedov had set pulses racing in the days previous, when he missed the traditional pre-fight media day. Rumours were rife he was struggling badly to make weight.

But Nurmagomedov entered the octagon on fight night to rapturous applause, making his comeback following a nine-month suspension meted out for a post-bout brawl with Conor McGregor in October 2018. Poirier, meanwhile, was a deadly striker who vowed in the buildup to "shock the world".

In the end, Nurmagomedov had Abu Dhabi rocking to his beat. He submitted Poirier in the third round having initially absorbed some punishment from his opponent. The roar of the 13,000-plus crowd told its own story, Nurmagomedov with belt wrapped around his waist, his professional record climbing to 28-0. Poirier departed in tears, but he was a valiant loser.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Nurmagomedov laid out his credentials as the UFC’s premier fighter, across all divisions.

“Give me just respect: put me at No 1 pound-for-pound fighter next week, because I think I deserve this,” he said. “I am undefeated. I deserve some respect.”

Conceding he felt intensely the pressure to perform during his walkout to battle, nevertheless Nurmagomedov confirmed his desire to do it all again in Abu Dhabi.

“Of course, I want to fight here,” he said. “I have very good energy here. I love these people; these people love me. I want to come back here, maybe next year. Why not?”