Some fights can make for epic viewing, in which two evenly-matched opponents face off against one another in a bout that features strategy and force in equal measure. Some fights take a stranger turn. For those who tuned into watch Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier clash last night in what ESPN’s Marc Raimondi described as “one of the most anticipated trilogy fights in UFC history,” the latter option is what they saw.
During the first round of the match, McGregor injured his leg and fell to the mat. The referee made the decision to call the match, resulting in a decision to Poirier by TKO (doctor’s stoppage). According to Raimondi’s report, UFC’s president later confirmed that “the injury was to McGregor’s lower tibia and that he will have surgery Sunday morning.”
It’s not yet clear how McGregor was injured. At The New York Times, Kevin Draper reports that both fighters offered their opinions on the injury at a press conference after the bout. Poirier said that he believed that McGregor fractured his ankle at an earlier point and fully broke it when he stumbled backwards later in the round.
“McGregor, using unprintable language, disagreed,” wrote Draper.
Viewers hoping for a battle for the ages this time around might not have the most satisfying evening. But it seems very likely that a fourth match between the two rivals will take place before long. We’ll have to see what that has in store.
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