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The most anticipated MMA fight of the year was finally here. The mecca of combat sports - the MSG - played host to one to a fight of epic proportions! Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal finally locked horns inside the cage in a battle between two perennial fan favorites.
The card was littered with mouth-watering contests.
Darren Till made his Milldeweight debut against former UFC title contender Kelvin Gastelum in the co-main event of the evening. Vincent Luque and Stephen Thompson faced each other in a stylistically explosive Welterweight encounter.
The incredibly popular Derrick Lewis returned to action against the fast-rising Blagov Ivanov in an important heavyweight showdown.
The main card was rounded up by an underrated Lightweight fight between Kevin Lee and Gregor Gillespie. The card was so good that Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker couldn't even make the main card.
The event was so big that even Donald Trump was in attendance! This was as big as it gets.
UFC 244 Results: Prelims
Corey Anderson def. Johnny Walker via TKO (punches) (2:07, Round One)
Shane Burgos def. Makwan Amirkhani via TKO (punches) (4:32, Round Three)
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brad Tavares via KO (head kick) (2:27, Round One)
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punch) (0:29, Round One)
Katlyn Chookagian def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lyman Good def. Chance Rencountre via TKO (punches) (2:03, Round Three)
Hakeem Dawodu def. Julio Arce via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
UFC 244 Results: Main Card
#1 Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie (Lightweight)
Former Lightweight title contender Kevin Lee returned to the Lightweight division for a challenging fight against the undefeated Gregor Gillespie.
Lee had lost three of his last four fights and the 27-year-old looked to get his career back on track with a big win in the main card opener. The #11 ranked Gillespie had an opportunity to prove that he belongs to the big stage as this was his first main PPV appearance against the usually unpredictable Motown Phenom.
Round 1: Lots of movement in the early stages from both men as they both looked to close the distance. Gregor went for a takedown but Lee stuffed it with ease.
Lee got the first good shot in the fight with a solid right. They were both busy with their hands with the jabs. It was a boxing-heavy fight thus far with no kicks being used.
The jabs kept coming in until Lee went high for a kick. Lee went to the body with a punch. Gillespie popped a right jab to the face.
Bombs were being thrown from both sides. And then it happened. Lee clinically finished it off with a simple combination.
Kevin Lee connected with a clean right hand over the top to the temple and followed it up with a left high kick that connected straight to Gillespie's jaw.
The Gift was knocked out cold. Gillespie fell back first against the cage with his eyes rolled back as the former Lightweight title contender landed one customary hammer fist to wrap things up.
The was a statement from the Motown Phenom.
Result: Kevin Lee def. Gregor Gillespie via TKO (2:47, Round 1)
Now that's how you kickstart the main card! A picture-perfect knockout, the end of an undefeated streak, the return to prominence of a talented heavy-hitter followed by a thoroughly professional post-fight interview. It's an ideal script!
Kevin Lee was not willing to rest on his laurels and intended to get back inside the Octagon as soon as possible. He credited Firas Zahabi for his improved showing and looked mature and motivated after putting down one of the best grapplers in the Lightweight division.
#2 Derrick Lewis vs. Blagoy Ivanov (Heavyweight)
Derrick 'The Black Beast' Lewis is back to the MMA Octagon after knee surgery and he is supposedly equipped with an improved gas tank. However, did the massive heavyweight encounter even get out of the first round? It surely did and it ended up being a heavyweight classic!
Round 1: The big men touched gloves and we were off!
Ivanov took the southpaw position while Lewis looked to attack from the orthodox stance. The Black Beast attempted a couple of wild high kicks to put Ivanov off.
Lewis was the one who followed Ivanov. The former Heavyweight title contender went for a kick but Ivanov caught it, got the trip and scored a takedown.
The Sambo specialist got into the side control and tried to lock in an Americana. Lewis scrambled his way up to his feet and wildly swung his hands. He tagged Ivanov with a flurry of strikes.
The Russian was backing down either as he let his hands loose as well. This was a proper heavyweight scrap.
Lewis landed a brief takedown but he couldn't keep his opponent down for long. Back up on the feet, Lewis had pinned Ivanov up against the cage. Big elbow from the Black Beast.
The clinch continued as both heavyweights scouted for positions. Lewis landed three big shots on the break as they were back circling the centre. The final 20 seconds of the round wasn't as in-your-face as the first four minutes, however, despite the subdued end, it was a typical heavyweight first round.
Round 2: 'Let's go Lewis' chants reverberated in the arena. Ivanov slipped in a sneaky left hand before engaging in a clinch.
Lewis missed with an uppercut on the break. The Black Beast was showing a different side of his game and that was his in-fight IQ. Derrick was being patient which kept him from gassing out.
The former Heavyweight title contender waited for his opportunity and unleashed a high-volume, high-intensity combination. He rocked Ivanov, who wobbled as he retreated.
Lewis ditched his conservative gameplan and rushed in for the finish. Ivanov, though, was putting on a masterclass in toughness. The Russian just wouldn't go down.
He caught Lewis off guard and took Lewis down. The Sambo practitioner almost caught his opponent in another Americana attempt, however, Lewis stayed calm and wriggled his way out to make his way back up to his feet.
Lewis hurt him again but Ivanov wasn't quitting just yet. The Russian scored another takedown before the round came to an end. What a freaking fight! Heavyweights, eh?
Round 3: Lewis had more significant shots while Ivanov had three clean takedowns thus far. Who would the judges side on this one?
It was a cautious start as both the battling heavyweights looked spent. Ivanov jabbed his way into the guard of Lewis and clinched with the Black Beast.
He tried to use a classic Sambo trip but Lewis was just too strong. The Black Beast put a lot into an uppercut but missed. That would have taken Ivanov's head off.
Lewis caught hold of Ivanov's head and landed a few good knees. The Beast surprisingly shot for the legs and looked to take Ivanov down.
Ivanov stuffed it but Lewis sprang back up and fired off a few big right-hand shots. Baga was sent back and Lewis was the aggressor. Another brief clinch.
Lewis unleashed hell in the final ten seconds in his bid to hand Ivanov his first knockout loss. Monstrous rights and lefts connected followed by a solid knee to the face. However, Ivanov wasn't going down tonight.
While Ivanov had landed more total strikes with 59 in comparison to Lewis' 37, the Russian just had 27 significant ones when pitted against the Black Beast, who landed clean with every attack.
Result: Derrick Lewis def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
This card just kept getting better!
Lewis is back in the win column with a massive win over a competent Russian. Baga had his moments, he had his takedowns, he almost caught Lewis in a few submission attempts. However, The Black Beast let his hands do the talking.
Despite the loss, Baga proved why he is the real BMF of the night with a resilient display.
#3 Stephen Thompson vs. Vicente Luque (Welterweight)
Wonderboy's intentions were easy to understand. Get a win and rise to his former title contention days. However, Vicente Luque wasn't going to make it easy.
Round 1: Wonderboy's patented stance countered Luque's orthodox approach from the get-go.
Luque went for the leg kicks early on. Thompson also loosened up his feet as he connected with the unorthodox front body sidekick. Wonderboy kept connecting with a left and a jab while retreating.
Thompson kept bouncing around, jumped in when needed and connected with a few lefts.
Luque, however, ate a few shots but served up a powerful response. The Silent Assasin tagged Wonderboy with a slick combination. A left hook landed on the jaw and that sent Wonderboy back.
Thompson looked hurt but he survived and created distance again. Luque followed Wonderboy and landed a solid a straight 3-piece combo in the pocket.
Luque was prepared to absorb a few strikes but he pushed forward and managed to connect with combos his own. Vicente had the better round due to more volume.
Round 2: Luque was not holding back as he kept up the pressure.
Wonderboy clipped Luque and effortlessly moved back. The American-Brazilian, however, made no fuss about eating those shots and tried to keep up with the press.
Luque lost his balance for a few seconds due to a sidekick from Wonderboy before getting back on his feet. The Silent Assassin rushed forward but he got caught by an incoming counter strike from Thompson.
Wonderboy went on to open up with a methodical striking display. Right hooks, left jabs and a heel kick kept Luque on the back foot.
To Luque's credit, he took a lot of shots - probably the best in the UFC Welterweight division - and came back with a few notable combinations.
Round 3: Wonderboy continued with his approach of getting in and out. He landed a straight kick to the body.
Luque got rocked with a Wonderboy straight left. The Silent Assassin fell to the mat. Wonderboy went on for the finish but Luque, somehow, survived.
He got stood up and Wonderboy continued with some vintage kickboxing. Kicks to the body, legs and head were just coming from all angles from Thompson.
Luque was having a hard time seeing what was coming at him due to the cut in his eye, however, he wasn't done just yet.
The Assassin connected with a few left-hand shots to send Wonderboy back again. Thompson landed two kicks to the body followed by a 1-2 and a high kick. Wonderboy broke through Luque's guard with straight lefts and right hooks.
Wonderboy went for a hook kick with 20 seconds on the clock. The round ended with a last-ditch attempt for a finish from Vicente.
Result: Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson def. Vicente Luque via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Vintage Wonderboy showed up at the MSG tonight. Thompson proved to one and all that he has moved on from the blip in his career and that he still is one of the best Welterweights in the world.
Wonderboy's striking clinic was complimented by Luque's toughness and willingness to push forward and land strikes of his own.
#4 Darren Till vs. Kelvin Gastelum (Middleweight)
Darren Till entered to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline and the fans inside the MSG loved it as they sang along as he made his way to the Octagon.
As you'd know, this was Till's UFC Middleweight debut and he was thrown into the deep end of the division against former title contender Kelvin Gastelum, who was coming off a controversial weigh-in fiasco.
Round 1: Gastelum was in southpaw while Till started in the orthodox position. Both fighters clinched within ten seconds against the cage.
Darren Till tested Gastelum's strength in the clinch before breaking it up. The British fighter fired off a few leg kicks before another clinch near the fence. Till pushed Gastelum against the fence and both men looked to overpower each other in the battle of the clinch.
Gastelum had Till in a body lock with a few incoming knees to the body. They were back in the centre with two minutes left to go. Gastelum got into the pocket for a left-hand strike but he ran out of space. Till touched the inside of Gastelum's leg with a kick. The former interim UFC Middleweight Champion cut the distance for a left-hand combination.
Till kept chipping away with the leg kicks and it had already done its damage as Gastelum's leg looked red on the outside.
The Gorilla landed a combination to end a very good round in which he fought smartly and made good reads on Gastelum.
Round 2: Gastelum came in with a strong leg kick to kick the second round off.
Gastelum connected with a 1-2 while Till stayed light on his feet. The Gorilla faked and stuttered which made it difficult for Gastelum to get his hands on Till.
Till connected with a left hand from the top. He mixed up the leg kicks with punches from the top and was getting the better of Gastelum.
They clinched for a few seconds again before Gastelum got in a good elbow on the break. Till got poked in the eye but that didn't hold up the fight for long.
Gastelum connected with a snappy outside leg kick. The #2 ranked Middleweight locked up with Till and pushed the fight towards the cage. Kelvin landed another solid outside leg kick.
However, Gastelum couldn't get his hands on Till as the former kept circling. Gastelum changed levels and went for a takedown but Till kept his posture to avoid going down. There were a few jeers from the crowd as the round came to an end.
Round 3: Gastelum could be two rounds down and he needed a big round to get the judges on his side.
He came in hot with two leg kicks but Till caught the third one and cracked with a left. Gastelum tagged his opponent with a left. Till replied with a step-in elbow.
Gastelum went for a left leg kick but the former Welterweight caught it. Kelvin lost balance and went down before getting right back up.
They clinched and Till landed a nice knee in the pocket. Gastelum lost balance again and Darren attempted a knee. However, Gastelum got back up and he began following Till again with 1 minute left on the clock.
Gastelum got Till down with a double leg takedown and briefly got the back, however, he couldn't keep his Middleweight debutant down.
Gastelum landed another takedown. Till got right back up and ate a 1-2. Kelvin pushed forward for a late finish but it was a little too late.
Result: Darren Till def. Kelvin Gastelum via split decision (27-30,29-28, 30-27)
The co-main event, in all honesty, didn't live up to all the hype. In Till's defence, he fought with a gameplan which was to pepper Gastelum's legs with kicks and to just stay out of the former interim Middleweight Champion's reach. Till also got in the more significant head strikes when there was an opening and that was the difference between the two men.
It may not have been the most entertaining of fights but Till would take the win after coming off two brutal losses.
#5 Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal (Welterweight)
Two BMFs, one epic title! Gamebred vs. The Stockton Slugger. Main event! This one doesn't need any build-up whatsoever.
Round 1: Nate Diaz imposed his style in the early phases and that was to take the fight to Gamebred.
Jorge Masvidal was casual about the pressure and clinched with Diaz. The fans inside the MSG were behind Nate but that wasn't affecting Masvidal as he rocked Diaz with a knee to the body followed by a huge elbow and a combination.
Masvidal smelt blood and let his hands loose as Diaz dropped down and covered himself. Jorge unloaded with shots on Diaz, who was on his back and had suffered a big cut over his eye.
Diaz, as expected, survived the onslaught but he didn't get up. He stayed down for the next two minutes and recuperated. Masvidal tried to make inroads but Diaz defended with his feet. He invited Masvidal into his guard but Jorge wasn't having any of it.
It gave Diaz time to recover from the damage before the final two minutes were fought on the feet. Diaz mounted a comeback and hurt Masvidal with a combination.
However, Gamebred laughed it off and whispered something in Diaz' ears as they engaged in a clinch.
Round 2: Masvidal landed with a solid 3-piece combo as Diaz came in. Nate found his range with the jab. Masvidal connected with a body kick. Diaz answered with a punch to the body.
Masvidal connected with an outside right kick followed by an outside elbow and a lead right.
Gamebred stunned Diaz again with a perfect right followed by a stinging kick to the body. Nate was down again and he looked hurt. The Stockton slugger stayed down again but the referee asked him to stand up.
Masvidal landed an overhand right before engaging in the clinch. Jorge landed two huge left hooks to Diaz' body on the break. Jorge was eating Diaz up in the stand-up exchanges. They locked up against the fence again with Diaz working the body.
Masvidal, however, tripped Diaz down to the mat and got his back. Gamebred held on to Diaz' back as he got back up. Diaz tried to scramble but Jorge was on top of it and maintained his position. Nate almost caught Masvidal in a heel hook but the latter escaped as the round came to a close.
Round 3: Diaz kicked things off with a right hook followed by one to the body. The Diaz pressure was back again as he put together a combination with Masvidal retreating into the cage.
Masvidal landed with another kick to the body. Diaz came back with a solid left but Masvidal went back to the body. Diaz then got clipped with a left at the end of a 3-piece combo.
Masvidal landed with a lead right but Diaz landed with a combination of his own.
Gamebred called for Diaz to bring it and both men engaged in a wild brawl. Once the dust settled, both men stood firm and continued their standup battle.
Diaz kept eating shots while also giving it back to Masvidal.
To Jorge's credit, he cut Diaz' pressing style by keeping him at bay with the body kicks. They clinched again with Diaz' back against the fence. He got in a few short punches to Masvidal's face. Jorge asserted his power and took Diaz down to the ground before getting into top control.
Jorge landed some big shots from the top. Diaz landed his own from his back. The round ended with Masvidal pummeling the Stockton native with nasty elbows.
The doctor checked on Diaz' left eye and decided that he was not fit enough to continue the fight. The referee reluctantly ended the fight as the fans inside the MSG arena erupted in displeasure.
Diaz wanted to continue but the cage-side doctor just couldn't take the risk.
Result: Jorge Masvidal def. Nate Diaz via doctor stoppage (5:00, Round 3)
That was anti-climatic, to say the least. The fans resoundingly chanted 'bulls***' as the fight got called off.
Nonetheless, Jorge Masvidal has the BMF belt around his waist but this is not the end of the story between the two brawlers.
Both Masvidal and Diaz have promised the fans that they will run it back and when will it happen? It certainly may take time as Diaz would require time to heal up from the cuts suffered in this fight.
Whenever it happens, we hope the doctor in-charge of today's fight is nowhere near the arena.
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