Conor McGregor came out of the Etihad Arena on crutches and told Dustin Poirier his leg was in pieces.
Poirier avenged his loss to McGregor in 2014 by beating his rival with a second round TKO on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Notorious’s pace was disrupted by several kicks to the right leg and he was then knocked down by a short right hand, before the Diamond received two more hard hits to force a dramatic save.
McGregor was overheard complaining to his team about his calf immediately following his loss and was then filmed laughing with Poirier backstage, telling him, “You broke my leg, you shit.”
In a gracious post-fight interview, McGregor praised Poirier’s skill and said he feels the full force of his kicks.
“It’s heartbreaking and hard to take. My leg is completely dead. It’s like an American football in my costume at the minute.
“If you put in the time here you’re going to make yourself comfortable here and I just have to dust it off and come back and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“I need activity, you don’t get away with being inactive in this business.
“As long as you stay active and compete, things are taking shape around you. You show up, you reap the rewards. This is what happened to Dustin and this is what happened to me.
“I’ll keep my eyes on the prize. Don’t write me off yet, I’ll make my adjustments and keep moving.
“I’ll go home, be healthy and get ready again. I am physically in a big place in my body and I will continue to develop it.
McGregor was in competition for the first time since he easily beat Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds 12 months ago.
And on Sunday morning, McGregor revealed he’s been anxiously awaiting Part Three.
“Thanks for the support everyone,” he tweeted. “It wasn’t my night / my morning in there, but a great competition to improve.
“I am excited about the successful trilogy that I now have in my hands.
“Dustin is a hell of a competitor and I can’t wait to go back. God bless us all, have a good Sunday.