A “gutted” Conor McGregor put his knockout defeat to Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi down to inactivity and vowed to bounce back as soon as possible.
The former two-division champion, 32, was making his return to the octagon for the first time in more than a year, in the headline bout at UFC 257 at Etihad Arena on Sunday morning.
However, he was rocked by a left hook and then floored with a short right from Poirier midway through the second round. The American, who previously held the lightweight interim title, avenged his 2014 defeat to McGregor. Poirier earned a bonus for Performance of the Night.
McGregor, whose record stands at 22-5, was competing for only the second time since October 2018.
Speaking in the octagon immediately after, the Irishman said: “It’s hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time. And that’s just it. The leg kicks were good, that low calf kick was very good. The leg was dead.
“Just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be. It’s the inactivity and that’s it. But Dustin’s some fighter. If you put in the time in here, you’re going to get cosy in here.
"I have to dust it off and come back and that’s it, and that’s what I’ll do.”
Pressed if he’ll return to fight again this year, McGregor said: “Of course. I need activity, guys, come on. You don’t get away with being inactive in this business and that’s the way it is.
“I’ll take my licks. I’m gutted to be honest. I put so much work in. Well done Dustin, we’re one and one, good man.
“We’ll go again. It’s a tough one to swallow. I did a lot of work. I’m proud of my work.
“I would’ve liked to have represented my team a bit better. We’ll get to go again and that’s it. I’ll go home to my kids in the hotel and chill for a bit and regroup.”
UFC 257 brought to a close the three-event Fight Island Triple Header, the UFC’s third residency in Abu Dhabi. The series was open to a limited amount of fans, with UFC president Dana White confirming 2,600 were in attendance. White said also that the event would rank in the top two or three pay-per-views in the promotion’s history.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
more from Janine di Giovanni
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
What%20is%20cystic%20fibrosis%3F
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECystic%20fibrosis%20is%20a%20genetic%20disorder%20that%20affects%20the%20lungs%2C%20pancreas%20and%20other%20organs.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIt%20causes%20the%20production%20of%20thick%2C%20sticky%20mucus%20that%20can%20clog%20the%20airways%20and%20lead%20to%20severe%20respiratory%20and%20digestive%20problems.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPatients%20with%20the%20condition%20are%20prone%20to%20lung%20infections%20and%20often%20suffer%20from%20chronic%20coughing%2C%20wheezing%20and%20shortness%20of%20breath.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ELife%20expectancy%20for%20sufferers%20of%20cystic%20fibrosis%20is%20now%20around%2050%20years.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
