Poirier looked composed from the very start of the fight, landing effective leg kicks and even securing an early takedown.

McGregor soon rose back to his feet and competitive exchanges in the clinch against the cage followed, before the pair moved back to the centre of the Octagon.

The end of the opening round and the start of the second saw more back-and-forth moments on the feet, but McGregor’s mobility was compromised as Poirier’s leg kicks began to add up.

Poirier took advantage, landing a vicious combination against the fence and dropping ‘Notorious’ to the canvas with a clean right hook. The American then landed further punches to the downed Irishman, seemingly knocking McGregor out cold to send shockwaves through the lightweight division and the mixed martial arts world as a whole.

“It’s hard to overcome inactivity,” McGregor said afterwards, this fight being his first in 12 months following his victory over Donald Cerrone a year ago. 

“The leg kicks were good, my leg was dead. I just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be. 

“Dustin’s some fighter. I have to dust it off and come back. I need activity. You don’t get away with being inactive in this business.

“I’ll take my licks. I’m gutted. It’s a tough one to swallow. I put in a lot of work. I’m gonna get home to my kids at the hotel and just chill for a bit.”