UFC 267 as it happened: Chimaev makes stunning return, Yan and Teixeira win in Abu Dhabi

Action-packed night at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi

Fans outside the arena during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021. All Images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Petr Yan won the UFC interim bantamweight title fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267in Abu Dhabi.

Cory Sandhagen (blue) takes a kick from Petr Yan (red) at UFC 267.

UFC interim bantamweight title match between Cory Sandhagen (blue) and Petr Yan (red) at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Glover Teixeira stunned Jan Błachowicz in their light heavyweight title match at UFC 267.

Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title.

Light heavyweight title fight between Glover Teixeira (blue) and Jan Błachowicz (red).

Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz at UFC 267.

Glover Teixeira (blue) overpowered Jan Błachowicz (red) at UFC 267.

Emirati performers during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Allan Nascimento lost to Tagir Ulanbekov (red) in the opening bout at UFC 267.

Tagir Ulanbekov (red) after his flyweight win over Allan Nascimento.

Khabib Nurmagomedov watches the flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento and Tagir Ulanbekov at the Etihad Arena.

UFC flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento (blue) and Tagir Ulanbekov (red) at UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Etihad crew members outside the Etihad Arena.

Emirati performers during UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi.

Lerone Murphy (blue) is tackled by Makwan Amirkhani (red) in their featherweight bout.

Light heavyweight bout between Michał Oleksiejczuk (blue) and Shamil Gamzatov (red).

Andre Petroski (blue) takes hold of Hu Yaozong (red) in their middleweight bout.

Zubaira Tukhugov won his featherweight bout against Ricardo Ramos.

Women's strawweight bout between Virna Jandiroba (blue) and Amanda Ribas.

Zubaira Tukhugov after defeating Ricardo Ramos at the Etihad Arena.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos after winning his welterweight fight in Abu Dhabi.

Michał Oleksiejczuk won the light heavyweight bout with Shamil Gamzatov.

Roman Kopylov defends against and Albert Duraev (red).

Khamzat Chimaev won in the first round against Li Jingliang.

Khamzat Chimaev submitted Li Jingliang at the Etihad Arena.

Khamzat Chimaev dominated on his UFC return.

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's win over Dan Hooker.

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's lightweight bout win over Dan Hooker.

Heavyweight bout between Marcin Tybura (blue) and Alexander Volkov.

Dan Hooker (blue) and Islam Makhachev (red) at UFC 267.

Islam Makhachev (red) dominated Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Some of the finest MMA fighters in the world descended on Abu Dhabi for UFC 267 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday.

Two title fights topped the bill, headlined by Jan Blachowicz’s light-heavyweight title defence against Glover Teixeira, the No 1-ranked contender. After a brutal fight, Teixeira become the second oldest champion in UFC history after defeating Blachowicz in the headline event to capture the light-heavyweight title.

In the night’s other championship clash, former bantamweight belt-holder Petr Yan took on Cory Sandhagen, a late replacement for current champion Aljamain Sterling, in an interim title fight. Yan took home the crown after a memorable clash.

The night had already become made memorable when crowd-favourite Khamzat Chimaev returned to octagon for first time in 13 months, following a protracted battle with Covid. He choked out Li Jingliang in the first round, proving his mettle once again.