The UFC returns to the big apple of New York City for UFC 244. Madison Square Garden hosts the big event as the main event features a fight for the BMF, or “Baddest Mother F***er,” belt. Just four months ago at UFC 239, Jorge Masvidal recorded the fastest knockout in UFC history. Five seconds into the fight, his opponent Ben Askren already laid unconscious on the mat due to a flying knee. Fresh off the buzz of that finish and his recent two fight knockout streak, he takes on another star, Nate Diaz.
Nate Diaz was the original creator of the BMF title and the idea of this fight. He returned from a three year layoff in August when he faced former UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis. After he defeated Pettis, he would crown himself the “Baddest Mother F***er” and call out Masvidal. Both men look to capitalize on the opportunity and put on a show on one of the biggest cards of the year.
UFC 244 Results
In the co-main event, former middleweight interim title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum makes his return to the cage. In his return, he takes on former welterweight title challenger, Darren Till. This will be Till’s first fight at 185 after going 5-2, 1NC in eight UFC fights at welterweight. He is currently on a two fight losing streak, suffering a submission loss to then champ Tyron Woodley and a knockout loss to Masvidal.
Gastelum is coming off his fight of the year contender with current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 236. At that time, they had been fighting for the interim championship, as Robert Whittaker waited on the sidelines. After five back and forth rounds, Adesanya was awarded the unanimous decision win and titled the interim middleweight champion. Gastelum looks to rebound from that loss with a big win over Till, who many assume will be better without the weight cut.
Kicking off the main card will be a lightweight fight as former interim title challenger Kevin Lee takes on Gregor Gillespie. Lee is coming off a disappointing two fight losing streak as he steps into this fight against a tough, undefeated Gillespie at 13-0. Up next will be a heavyweight fight as Derrick Lewis returns to the cage to take on Blagoy Ivanov. Lewis is riding a two fight losing streak while Ivanov enters the fight on a two fight win streak. Finally, before the co-main event, will be a welterweight fight as former title challenger Stephen Thompson takes on Vicente Luque. Thompson will be trying to rebound from a two fight losing streak while Luque will attempt to pick up his seventh straight win.
Follow along with MMASucka as we provide you with the results throughout UFC 244.
MAIN CARD (PPV/ESPN+ – 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Jorge Masvidal def. Nate Diaz via TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) at 5:00 of Round Three
Darren Till def. Kelvin Gastelum via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
Stephen Thompson def. Vicente Luque via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Derrick Lewis def. Blagoy Ivanov via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Kevin Lee def. Gregor Gillespie via Knockout (Strikes) at 2:47 of Round One
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN 2 – 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)
Corey Anderson def. Johnny Walker via TKO (Punches) at 2:07 of Round One
Shane Burgos def. Makwan Amirkhani via TKO (Punches) at 4:32 of Round Three
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brad Tavares via Knockout (Kick) at 2:27 of Round One
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Andrei Arlovski via Knockout (Punch) at 0:29 of Round One
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ – 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)
Katlyn Chookagian def. Jennifer Maia via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lyman Good def. Chance Rencountre via TKO (Punches) at 2:03 of Round Three
Hakeem Dawodu def. Julio Arce via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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