Conor McGregor says he will bounce back from his “heartbreaking” defeat to Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, as he eyes a trilogy fight with either his latest conqueror or Nate Diaz.
The Irishman, 32, returned to the octagon in the headline event at UFC 257, the finale to Fight Island Triple Header, but suffered the first knockout loss of his professional career.
McGregor was stopped by a combination of punches midway through the second round at Etihad Arena, although he later cited Poirier’s leg kicks as being decisive.
It was McGregor’s first competitive outing in little more than a year, and only his second since October 2018. A former two-division champion, his record now stands at 22-5.
“It’s heartbreaking, it’s hard to take,” said McGregor after limping into the post-fight press conference. “The highest highs and the lowest lows of the game.
“My leg is completely dead. Even though I felt like I was checking them, it was sinking into the muscle at the front of the leg and it was badly compromised. It’s like an American football under my suit at the minute.
“Dustin fought a hell of a fight. Fair play, I’m very happy for him. I’m very happy that I got to compete in these times and come back for my 11th UFC main event. And that’s it. It’s hard. I don’t know where I am at the minute.
“I have no excuses here. It was a phenomenal performance by Dustin. I don’t know what to say. I’m going to go back and chill out. I’ll watch the full fight and get a better grasp of it. It’s a bitter, bitter pill to swallow. I don’t even know if I’m that upset. I don’t know what to say.”
McGregor was asked if he was considering walking away from the sport once more, but said he wants another fight with Poirier – he defeated the American in their 2014 featherweight encounter – or Diaz. He took on the latter in two memorable bouts in 2016. Both rivalries sit at one apiece.
“I’ll certainly regroup, pick myself up, get up off the floor and go again,” McGregor said. “Styles make fights. There’s many great stylistic match-ups out there: Dustin and me are one-and-one, myself and Nate are one-and-one.
“I feel I’ll adopt a different approach for the trilogy with Dustin because those leg kicks are not to be messed with; that low calf kick I’ve never experienced before. It’s not that I haven’t got the style in me to switch it up and keep that at bay.
“I’ve a lot more weapons, [which] I didn’t get to show. It wasn’t my night. But again no excuses. Hat’s off. I’m looking forward to going back now and seeing the kids, and just take my licks.
“I’m not that upset, which is another weird one for me. I put in an immense amount of work, I gave it my all. I’ll regroup for sure. I’m a different man, but the competitive fire is still in me. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.”
Asked if he was at least pleased to be back competing in the UFC, McGregor said: “I am happy. I’m disappointed, but I’m happy for sure. I got to come out here and do this fight here in the Middle East, put on a show for the people.
“I did my best and things don’t go your way at times. But pick yourself up and carry on. I’ve got a lot of good things going on in my life and just got to keep my head high. Take the shots, take the licks and just keep on going.”
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
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