The Octagon heads to Madison Square Garden in New York City this Saturday night for UFC 244. In the featured bout will be Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz for the “BMF” title.
The belt was created for this special one-time bout. The main card airs live on pay-per-view via ESPN+.
Masvidal (34-13) has quickly risen up the ranks in the welterweight division. He owns victories this year via knockout over both Ben Askren and Darren Till.
Prior to setbacks by decision to Stephen Thompson and Demian Maia, Masvidal had scored wins over Donald Cerrone, Jake Ellenberger and Ross Pearson.
Masvidal started his career back in 2003, winning his first five pro bouts. He also made his mark in backyard boxing matches, including one filmed with the late Kimbo Slice.
Diaz, like his opponent, has been competing for years in the sport. He returned from a three-year layoff to defeat Anthony Pettis this past August.
In 2016, Diaz had two bouts with Conor McGregor, handing the former champion his first Octagon defeat via submission. In the rematch, McGregor earned a majority decision.
Diaz turned pro a year after Masvidal, going 5-1 to start his career. In 2007, he appeared on The Ultimate Fighter, winning the Season 5 lightweight tournament.
This will also mark the 500th event in UFC history to take place.
Go inside the training of both Masvidal and Diaz in Countdown to UFC 244. The video above features interviews and clips of both main event competitors.
In the co-main event, Kelvin Gastelum and Till square off in a middleweight contest.
Gastelum, also a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter, is looking to bounce back after a decision loss to champion Israel Adesanya. Their bout this past April was for the interim UFC welterweight title.
Before the setback, Gastelum had scored back-to-back wins over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and ex-UFC champion Michael Bisping.
His opponent, Till, was 17-0-1 when he challenged then-champion Tyron Woodley for the title last year. Till suffered a second round submission loss, and was also knocked out by Masvidal this past March.
Several former UFC title contenders will also be in action at UFC 244 including Stephen Thompson, Derrick Lewis and Kevin Lee. Ex-UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski will also step inside the Octagon against Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Thompson squares off against Vicente Luque in a welterweight contest as part of the main card. Lewis meets Blagoy Ivanov at heavyweight and Lee takes on Gregor Gillespie.
On the prelims, which air on ESPN2, Corey Anderson and Johnny Walker meet in an intriguing light heavyweight scrap. The early prelims on UFC Fight Pass feature Jennifer Maia battling Katlyn Chookagian.
MAIN CARD (ESPN+ Pay-Per-View)
Welterweight: Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Darren Till
Welterweight: Stephen Thompson vs. Vicente Luque
Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis vs. Blagoy Ivanov
Lightweight: Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2)
Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker
Featherweight: Shane Burgos vs. Makwan Amirkhani
Middleweight: Brad Tavares vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass)
Female Flyweight: Jennifer Maia vs. Katlyn Chookagian
Welterweight: Lyman Good vs. Chance Rencountre
Featherweight: Julio Arce vs. Hakeem Dawodu
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