Conor McGregor was sensationally knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.
The former two-weight world champion was blasted away by Poirier in their rematch on Fight Island on his return to UFC after more than a year away.
McGregor had no answer to the power of Poirier
The Notorious was left bloodied and beaten against the cage
Poirier claimed his revenge from their 2014 fight at UFC 178 by attacking McGregors lead right leg, before trapping the Irishman on the cage and unloading a barrage of punches.
McGregor hit the canvas soon after as referee Herb Dean jumped in to call a halt to proceedings.
Poirier knew he had McGregor in trouble when a short right uppercut dropped the former two-weight world champion as blood trickled from his nose before the American moved in to finish the fight.
It is the first time McGregor has ever suffered a TKO/KO defeat in his career and likely puts an end to talk of a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Poirier took his chance to exact revenge after their UFC 178 meeting
McGregor failed to meet his 60-second knockout prediction, instead finding himself on his backside as Poirier shot in for a takedown.
With his back on the cage, he was forced to deal with The Diamond from grinding him on the side perhaps hoping to deplete his energy tank.
The first round was scrappy until the last 90 seconds, with McGregor narrowly missing out on a huge left hand.
Poirier then landed a big right hand of his own pointing to McGregor as he did so before suffering a barrage of punches.
The Diamond secured a takedown inside the first minute
Poirier looked relaxed and executed his game plan to perfection
Both men appeared fatigued at the end of the round, with Poiriers work on the fence seemingly tiring him out as much as it did to McGregor.
The Diamond enjoyed success in the striking exchanges and appeared to take confidence from it as he opened up with a series of low leg kicks to McGregors right leg.
It was those leg kicks which did the damage, with an immobilised McGregor back on the cage and unable to move out of the way from a flurry of combination punches.
Poirier hurt his opponent with his short, sharp hooks and then dropped a devastating right uppercut on McGregors nose to end the fight.
With his eyes reeling in the back of his head, the Irishman was saved by referee Dean as he jumped and called it off.
Speaking after the bout, McGregor admitted his lack of time in the octagon perhaps was to blame, but was gracious enough not to take anything away from his victorious opponent.
McGregor was stunned but made no excuses for his defeat
You know, it is hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time, he said. Thats just it.
The leg kicks were good, the calf kick was very good, the leg was dead and then I just wasnt as comfortable as I needed to be.
Its the inactivity and that is, but Dustin is some fighter. If you put in the time in here, you are going to get cosy in here and thats it.
Ill have to dust it off and come back and that is what I will do.
UFC lightweight champion Khabib is still technically retired, although he admitted he may return if he saw something ‘spectacular’.
Despite predicting a second round win for McGregor, the 29-0 fighter will have been as surprised as anyone to watch Poirier leave the Irishman on his back.
Although the chances of a McGregor rematch may now be done for good, UFC debutant Michael Chandler offered to face the Russian next after knocking out Dan Hooker in the co-main event.
The American then proceeded to offer Khabib a fight upon his return – although the chances of him fighting Poirier for the vacant belt just went through the roof.