CONOR MCGREGOR makes his UFC return TONIGHT with a huge Fight Island showdown against Dustin Poirier.
The eagerly-awaited UFC 257 bout is a rematch of their 2014 fight which McGregor won with a first round TKO.
- Live: *Rountree Jr vs Prachnio on NOW
- Start-time: Prelims 1am UK time/ Main card 3am
- Expect McGregor vs Poirier at around 5am UK time
- TV/ live stream: BT Sport Box Office (UK) / ESPN+ (US)
CONOR MCGREGOR BETTING OFFER: 50/1 FOR FIRST ROUND VICTORY New William Hill customers | Mobile only | 18+| UK and Ireland |T&Cs
Follow ALL of the latest updates from Fight Island below…
- Wally Downes Jr
ROUND TWO
Prachnio almost hits the deck from a brutal check right hook but he stays on his feet somehow.
The L.A banger landed heavily and the Pole stumbled toward the canvas.
And moments later a thudding knee found Prachnio's vulnerable face.
The bell goes and Prachnio's corner tell him to kick more, he roars in agreement.
- Wally Downes Jr
ROUND TWO
Rountree makes a great start to the second, sending Prachnio stumbling as soon as the bell rang.
Rountree stiffens Prachnio again with a clubbing left hand and another when Prachnio throws a lazy leg kick.
As Prachnio tries to throw another kick, Rountree tags him with a punch to the face.
- Wally Downes Jr
ROUND ONE
Rountree ships a straight right to his torso.
Pachnio came on string at the end of that opener.
Rountree's corner tell him it was a close round after he demands they are honest with him.
Prachnio's corner tell him to control his breathing and switch levels.
- Wally Downes Jr
ROUND ONE
Rountree trained for this bout in Thailand, away from his L.A home.
And Prachnio needs to be careful as the American has six first-round wins.
Rountree throws a big left hand but Prachnio rolls it.
The Poland ace is making horrible sounds with crunching leg kicks.
- Wally Downes Jr
THEY AIN'T HEAVY…
Light-heavyweight action to kick-off the BT Sport show first.
Khalil Rountree and Marcin Prachnio throwing down.
Prachino has been seeing a sports psychologist to help him fulfil his potential.
But Rountree is the favourite ahead of the Polish banger.
- Wally Downes Jr
WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT?
Brit UFC ace Nathaniel Wood thinks he knows how tonight plays out…
- Wally Downes Jr
WAY TO CELEBR8
Movsar Evolev had moves during and after the fight tonight…
- James Orr
SPLIT DECISION
Evloev got the decision over Lentz in the final early prelim just now - Chisanga Malata
EVLOEV WINS VIA SPLIT DECISION
The Russian gets the win via split decision, with the judges scoring it 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in his favour.
He moves to 4-0 in the promotion.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND THREE
Lentz opens up with a leg kick but is soon on the back foot.
He's now on the cage allowing Evloev to tee off.
They're now back in the middle of the cage but Evloev is continuing to get the better of the exchanges.
An accidental eye poke leads to a brief pause in the action, which resumes with Lentz shooting for a takedown.
The attempt is unsuccessful and they're not trading heavy blows.
Evloev lands a big right hand after catching a body kick and is continuing to pick apart his man.
The right side of Lentz's face is badly swollen and he's continuing to take punishment.
The round ends. Evoloev, in my opinion, has done more than enough to get the nod.
- Chisanga Malata
A LOOK AT THE GUILLOTINE ATTEMPT
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND TWO
Evloev is the aggressor early, putting pressure on the veteran.
Lentz isn't wilting, though, matching the Russian stride for stride.
Lentz tried for another guillotine on the back of a Evloev takedown but is unable to sink it in.
Evloev is having success when he stays at range and makes use of his jab.
Lentz is bleeding from his right eye. I'm not quite sure what cause the cut.
Evloev shoots for a takedown but again finds himself in another guillotine choke.
They're back their feet, with Lentz pressing forward and chopping away at Evloev's lead leg.
A close round to call, that.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND ONE
Lentz is the aggressor early and has surprisingly opted to take down the Russian.
Evloev reverses position and is now in in Lentz's guard.
Lentz slaps on a guillotine but is unable to put enough pressure on Evloev's neck.
The Carnie still has control of his man's neck, though.
Evloev finally frees himself from the hold and is now on top of Lentz and looking to pass to half guard.
Lentz is going for another guillotine but Evloev pops his head out. Evloev ends the round with a big right hand after both men return to their feet.
- Chisanga Malata
THE THIRD MEN IN THE CAGE
Veteran referee Herb Dean will oversee the main event between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor.
England's Marc Goddard, meanwhile, has been tasked the job of overseeing the co-main event of the morning.
- Chisanga Malata
CATCHWEIGHT BOUT UP NEXT
Veteran Nik Lentz will take on undefeated featherweight prospect Movsar Evloev.
Russia's Evloev was last in action in July against Team Kaobon's Mike Grundy, who Lentz was supposed to fight last week.
Because of the short-notice nature of this bout, it will be taking place at a catchweight of 150lbs.
- Chisanga Malata
Albazi gets the nod
All three judges score the fight 29-28 in Amir Albazi's favour.
That's two wins in two UFC outings for the London Shootfighters flyweight.
He's well and truly a prospect in the division.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND THREE
Albazi starts the round by chipping away at Zhumagulov's lead leg before pushing him back with relentless pressure.
Zhumagulov tries a spinning back fist as he's being hunted down and misses by a mile.
Albazi takes the fight to the ground and starts punishing the Kazakh with elbows from inside his guard.
Albazi takes Zhumagulov's back and is looking for a rear-naked choke. He's got two minutes to work.
Zhumagulov is defending well but can't shake Albazi off him.
As I say that, they're back to their feet and Zhumagulov is going all out to get the finish he needs to win this fight.
Albazi, wisely, decides to get on his bike until the end of the round. He should get the nod. I have him winning it 30-27.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND TWO
Alazbi again looks to establish his range with a long jab, although he's also mixing them up with beautiful leg kicks.
The London Shootfighters ace lands a big right hand that draws a roar from the crowd. but that hasn't detered the game Zhumagulov.
Albazi is having real success with his jab and left hook, which his corner are repeatedly calling for.
All Abazi in this round, Zhumagulov is having a hard time closing the distance and landing his shots.
Albazi is starting to get a tad reckless with his strikes and is finding himself eating unnecessary counters.
Zhumagulov tries two late takedowns but sees his attempts to ground the fight stuffed.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND ONE
Albazi looks to establish his jab early to keep the onrushing Zhumagulov at bay.
But the shorter Kazakh is having success when he comes into range.
Albazi catches Zhumagulov with a right hand an continues to put on the pressure.
But Zhumagulov recovers well before being grounded by a beautiful double-leg takedown.
Albazi is unable to keep his man down, though, and they soon return to the centre of the octagon.
Zhumagulov catches Albazi with a big left hook, but ends up eating a big right hand moments later.
Zhumagulov lands a big takedown with 30 seconds of the round left and ends it on top.
- Chisanga Malata
A GANDER AT THE ARENA
Here's how the brand spanking new Etihad Arena is looking ahead of the UFC's first pay-per-view event of 2021.
It's some sight to behold, folks.
- Chisanga Malata
WE ARE LIVE FOLKS
UFC 257's first fight is just about to get underway.
A flyweight bout between Amir Albazi and Zhalgas Zhumagulov kicking things off.
Get a full look at the fight card below.
- Jim Sheridan
SHE AIN'T HEAVY
MMA star Amanda Ribas piled on TWO STONE in just 24 hours ahead of her fight with Marina Rodriguez.
Ribas, 27, rocketed in weight by gaining over 12kg in a day, according to her dad and coach Marcelo Ribas.
The strawweight fighter tipped the scales at 116lbs before reversing her weight cut in dramatic style by hitting 143.3lbs.
She fights fellow Brazilian Rodriguez, 33, on Fight Island tonight.
And Ribas senior revealed her rapid bulk with a candid shot on Instagram ahead of the big night of action in Abu Dhabi.
Ribas has a 10-1 record and is ranked No10 in the UFC for her weight class.
- Jim Sheridan
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
Action is almost upon us in Abu Dhabi and through the night we'll be bringing you every punch, kick and elbow as it happens.
UFC 257 is go.
- Jim Sheridan
NEW DIGS
The Etihad Arena on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island is hosting tonight's card – and it's a pretty impressive venue.
SunSport were lucky enough to be given a tour of the venue before its inaugural event last weekend – and we were blown away.
Situated in the beautiful but still developing Yas Bay, the Etihad Arena is the latest multi-million-pound building to have been erected by BAM International.
The state-of-the-art venue – which was completed last October – has a capacity of 18,000 spectators, although they can stage events for as few as 200 people.
SunSport revealed earlier this month the venue, which is operated by Flash Entertainment, will permit 2000 fans to attend the UFC's events – including tonight.
Tickets for UFC 257 started at 795 Dirham (£160) and went all the way up to a whopping 4,995 Dirham (£1000).
- Jim Sheridan
SWEAT IT OUT
Poirier fans were concerned their man looked a little drained at yesterday's weigh-in.
But The Diamond took to his socials after tipping the scales at 156lbs to assure his supporters all was well.
He said: "Haha I'm good! Walked out the sauna straight to the scale. Was still a little overheated."
Just joining us? A little more than six hours of UFC action ahead. Oh yes.
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