Conor McGregor breaks shin in loss to Dustin Poirier
Dana White says McGregor and Poirier will fight again (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Updated July 11, 2021 - 12:17 am

Conor McGregor yells in pain after hurting his foot in the first round of a lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Poirier won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Conor McGregor receives assistance after hurting his foot in the first round of a lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Poirier won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Conor McGregor receives assistance after hurting his foot in the first round of a lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Poirier won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Conor McGregor yells after hurting his foot in the first round of a lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Poirier won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Dustin Poirier is announced the winner by way of technical knockout in the first round of a lightweight bout against Conor McGregor during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

in the lightweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Conor McGregor, left, and Dustin Poirier, battles in the first round of a lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Poirier won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Dustin Poirier, left, throws a kick against Conor McGregor in the first round of a lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Poirier won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Phil Ruffin, owner of the Treasure Island, and Former President Donald Trump attend UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Tai Tuivasa connects a punch to knockout Greg Hardy in the first round of the heavyweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Gilbert Burns reacts at the end of the welterweight bout against Stephen Thompson during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Burns won by unanimous decision.(Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Gilbert Burns, left, is announced the winner in the welterweight bout against Stephen Thompson during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Burns won by unanimous decision.(Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Irene Aldana, right, connects a punch against Yana Kunitskaya in the first round of a women’s bantamweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Aldana won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Irene Aldana, right, reacts as the referee stops the fight in the first round of a women’s bantamweight bout against Yana Kunitskaya during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Aldana won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Irene Aldana, right, connects a punch against Yana Kunitskaya in the first round of a women’s bantamweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Aldana won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Irene Aldana, left, is announced the winner by way of technical knockout in the first round of a women’s bantamweight bout against Yana Kunitskaya during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Aldana won by way of technical knockout in the first round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Sean O’Malley, right, connects a punch against Kris Moutinho in the third round of a bantamweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. O’Malley won by technical knockout in the third round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Sean O’Malley, left, connects a punch against Kris Moutinho in the third round of a bantamweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. O’Malley won by technical knockout in the third round. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Sean O’Malley reacts to his technical knockout win against Kris Moutinho in the third round of a bantamweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Sean O’Malley, left, is announced the winner by way of technical knockout in the third round of a bantamweight bout against Kris Moutinho during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Ilia Topuria, left, defends a kick against Ryan Hall in the first round of a featherweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Ilia Topuria, connects a punch against Ryan Hall in the first round of a featherweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Ryan Hall receives assistance after getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria in the first round of a featherweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Ilia Topuria, right, gets his hand raised after defeating Ryan Hall by way of knockout in the first round of a featherweight bout during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Jennifer Maia, right, connects a punch against Jessica Eye in the third round of a womenÕs flyweight bout against Jessica Eye during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Maia won by unanimous decision. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Jennifer Maia, left, battles Jessica Eye in the first round of a womenÕs flyweight bout against Jessica Eye during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Maia won by unanimous decision. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Jennifer Maia, right, connects a punch against Jessica Eye in the first round of a womenÕs flyweight bout against Jessica Eye during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Maia won by unanimous decision. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Jennifer Maia is announced the winner by unanimous in the womenÕs flyweight bout against Jessica Eye during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

People walk near T-Mobil Arena, on Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

People react as they walk near T-Mobile Arena, on Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Roger Muntain of San Bernardino, Calif., a Conor McGregorÕs fan, carries McGregorÕs lifesize cardboard cutout as he walks along Las Vegas Boulevard, on Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

People gather to watch a televised UFC fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor outside of New York-New York hotel-casino, on Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye
Conor McGregor barely survived an onslaught of punches from lightweight Dustin Poirier at the end of the first round of Saturday night’s UFC 264 main event at T-Mobile Arena.
His leg did not.
McGregor’s left shin was broken, a UFC offical told the Review-Journal, as he planted to throw a punch with about 10 seconds remaining in the opening round. Poirier dropped him before following it up with a barrage. When the bell rang and Poirier retreated to his corner, McGregor stayed down.
Ringside physicians immediately recommended referee Herb Dean stop the fight. Poirier was awarded a knockout victory in front of former President Donald Trump and a plethora of A-List stars.
He now has two wins over McGregor in 2021 after losing the first meeting in 2014.
“This is not over,” McGregor said as he conducted an interview as medical personnel treated his ankle. “If I have to take this outside with him, I will.”
Poirier believes McGregor was hurt early in the first round on a checked leg kick and the injury was aggravated by the missed punch.
He also thought McGregor employed some dirty tactics in addition to the nasty trash talk leading up to the fight.
“This guy is a dirtbag,” Poirier said. “And everybody booing me can kiss my whole (expletive).”
Both fighters exchanged leg kicks early in the fight, with Poirier landing two left hands that prompted McGregor to clinch. McGregor turned the position into a guillotine, but Poirier escaped. They traded big elbows on the ground before the fight returned to the feet in the final minute.
Poirier’s late barrage nearly had referee Herb Dean stepping in to stop the fight before McGregor was saved by the bell.
“I beat the guy,” Poirier said.
In the co-main event, Gilbert Burns outpointed Stephen Thompson in a matchup of former welterweight title challengers.
Burns did his best to avoid prolonged exchanges in the center of the cage with Thompson, one of the division’s most dynamic strikers.
Burns has now won seven of his last eight fights, with the lone loss coming against champion Kamaru Usman in a title fight.
After the victory, Burns declined to call out Usman for a rematch. He identified Jorge Masvidal as a potential opponent instead.
“But anybody can get it,” he said.
Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa won his third straight fight by making quick work of former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy.
Hardy absorbed several leg kicks early before coming forward and landing two big right hands only to get caught with a crushing left that dropped him.
The fight was waved off at 1:07 of the opening round.
Tuivasa, who walked to the cage to the Spice Girls hit “Wannabe,” delighted the crowd by immediately climbing the cage and filling a shoe with a beer and drinking it. As Tuivasa returned to the locker room after the win, he obliged several fans who offered him beer-filled shoes.
“I wanted to hit him,” Tuivasa said of the much-maligned Hardy. “After I saw him afterwards, he had a few bumps and bruises. He deserved them. I knew I could take care of Greg Hardy. He got what he deserved.”
Rising star Sean O’Malley unceremoniously welcomed newcomer Kris Moutinho to the UFC by landing 230 strikes, including 177 to the head, in just over 14 minutes of action. He landed an absurd 72 percent of his significant strike attempts.
The 230 strikes landed set a bantamweight record for a three-round fight and was second overall to the 238 landed by Nate Diaz against Donald Cerrone.
Referee Herb Dean mercifully stopped the bantamweight bout with 27 seconds remaining after O’Malley snapped Moutinho’s head back with several punches, prompting boos from the crowd as Moutinho was still standing.
“I didn’t think he’d be that tough, honestly,” O’Malley said. “(He took the fight on) 11 days notice. It was insane how many shots he could take. He said, ‘You’re tired,’ and I said, ‘Hell yeah, I’m tired.’ I just kept hitting him in the face.
“I think if I had put his lights out right away, it wouldn’t have been the same statement.”
Also on the main card, women’s bantamweight contender Irene Aldana knocked down Yana Kunitskaya and finished her with a series of punches on the ground.
Aldana may be in line for another shot at the belt, but she missed weight by 3.5 pounds on Friday.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.
UFC 264
Results of Saturday night’s card at T-Mobile Arena
Dustin Poirier def. Conor McGregor, TKO, first round (5:00), lightweights
Gilbert Burns def. Stephen Thompson, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), welterweights
Tai Tuivasa def. Greg Hardy, KO, first round (1:07), heavyweights
Irene Aldana def. Yana Kunitskaya, KO, first round (4:35), catchweight (139.5 pounds)
Sean O’Malley def. Kris Moutinho, KO, third round (4:33), bantamweights
Max Griffin def. Carlos Condit, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) welterweights
Michel Pereira def. Niko Price, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), welterweights
Ilia Topuria def. Ryan Hall, KO, first round (4:47), featherweights
Dricus du Plessis def. Trevin Giles, KO, second round (1:41), middleweights
Jennifer Maia def. Jessica Eye, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), women’s flyweights
Brad Tavares def. Omari Akhmedov, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), middleweights
Zhalgas Zhumagulov def. Jerome Rivera, submission, first round (2:02), flyweights