DUSTIN POIRIER got back to winning ways with a bloody victory over Michel Chandler.
The lightweight standouts finally locked horns with one another early on Sunday morning on a stacked UFC 281 card at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Fan favourite Poirier looked to breathe new life into his title hopes following heartbreak in his title fight with Charles Oliveira last December.
And The Diamond did so in spectacular fashion at The World’s Most Famous Arena – submitting former Bellator champ Poirier with a third-round rear-naked choke.
There was no love lost between the pair going into the MSG showdown, so much so that, unsurprisingly, there was no touch of gloves.
Chandler, 36, was light on his feet early doors and adopted a wide stance.
He soon found a home for his right hand but ended up eating a straight left from Poirier.
Poirier stuffed Chandler’s first takedown attempt and quickly went back back to operating on the outside.
Chandler began to pour on the pressure midway through the round after landing a good right hand, although Poirier managed to weather the storm.
Chandler soon lost his composure and began swinging wildly. But he eventually cracked the dome of Poirier with two right hands.
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University of Missouri alum Chandler then went back to his wrestling and attempted a kimura after grounding the fight.
Poirier, however, was wise to it and eventually managed to return to his feet.
The Louisianan then land a big left hand that rocked Chandler, who responded with a stinging right of his own.
A firefight ensued and ended with Poirier dropping Chandler with a big right hook.
Poirier saw blood and unleashed a barrage of strikes on the dazed and hurt Chandler before the round ended.
Chandler changed his approach in the second stanza and looked to utilise his wrestling.
And he grounded the fight shortly after the restart, although he ended up eating a nasty elbow from the bottom.
Chandler managed to take the back of Poirier and came close to sinking in a rear-naked choke.
Poirier, however, showed good submission defence but was unable to get to his feet before the round ended – eating several strikes before the horn.
Chandler got right back in Poirier’s face after the final restart but was cautious with his entires.
A huge high crotch takedown from Chandler ended up being reversed by Poirier – sending the arena into raptures.
Poirier used the reversal to take the back Chandler in the centre of the octagon.
Chandler eventually presented Poirier with a golden opportunity by giving up his neck – which the former champion strangled with a rear-naked choke.
