UFC 244 Results: Jorge Masvidal Becomes The BMF Champion

Jorge Masvidal likely secured himself a future shot at the UFC welterweight title, claiming the BMF belt for now.

Masvidal earned a third round TKO victory over Nate Diaz Saturday night from Madison Square Garden in New York City at UFC 244. The event marked the 500th for the promotion, with President Donald Trump and The Rock among those in attendance.

Due to a cut over the eye of Diaz, the doctor ordered the fight stopped after three rounds. Masvidal was well in control heading to the fourth.

Visa Issues, Weight-Cut Can’t Keep Darren Till Down

Former UFC title contender Darren Till overcame plenty outside the Octagon just to reach Madison Square Garden.

Visa issues kept Till overseas until Friday. When he did arrive, he had a tough weight-cut for his middleweight bout with Kelvin Gastelum.

But Till made up for it, earning a split decision over Gastelum. Each fighter earned a 30-27 scorecard, with the deciding one going to Till, 29-28.

The 26-year-old Till earned his first victory since early in 2018 after back-to-back losses. He started his MMA career with 17 wins and a draw over 18 bouts.

For Gastelum, the loss was his second straight after falling to current UFC champion Israel Adesanya in April. That fight was for the interim UFC middleweight title.

Decision Victory For Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson proved he remains a top welterweight, turning back the challenge of Vicente Luque.

Thompson, a former two-time contender to the UFC belt, earned a decision victory. Two of the judges scored it 30-26, with the third going 30-27.

“Wonderboy” halted a two-fight losing skid with the win. Thompson was coming off a knockout loss to Anthony Pettis and a decision defeat to Darren Till.

He was just 1-3-1 over his last five entering the fight vs. Luque.

Luque entered riding high on a six-fight win streak since a 2017 setback to Leon Edwards. Five of those six wins had come via either knockout, TKO or submission.

Derrick Lewis, Blagoy Ivanov Grind Through Three Rounds

Heavyweights like to have quick nights, but Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov bucked the trend at UFC 244.

Lewis used his skills to claim a split decision over Ivanov. One judge ruled it 30-27 for Lewis, another 29-28, with the third going 29-28 for Ivanov.

The win snapped a two-bout losing skid for Lewis, who had fallen to former champions Junior dos Santos and Daniel Cormier. The Cormier bout was for the UFC heavyweight title in 2018.

Ivanov had his two-fight win streak come to an end.

Kevin Lee Derails Gregor Gillespie

Minutes into the first round of the opening bout on the main card, Kevin Lee made a statement.

Lee, who previously competed for the interim UFC lightweight title, connected with a head-kick that sent Gregor Gillespie flying across the Octagon. The official finish came in 2:47.

For the 27-year-old Lee, the win snapped a two-bout losing skid. He was coming off a decision setback to Al Iaquinta and a submission loss this past May to Rafael dos Anjos.

Gillespie suffered the first defeat of his career in 14 bouts. He was looking to springboard into title talk following finishes of Yancy Medeiros, Vinc Pichel, Jordan Rinaldi, Jason Gonzalez and Andrew Holbrook.

Finishes Highlight ESPN2 Prelims

Corey Anderson earned a first round victory over Johnny Walker, halting the rise of Walker in the light heavyweight division.

Just over two minutes into the first round of the prelim main event, Anderson landed with strikes, finishing the fight and capping a quick ESPN2-televised lineup.

Shane Burgos stopped Makwan Amirkhani in the third and Edmen Shahbazyan delivered a head-kick that floored Brad Tavares in the first.

None of those finishes, though, were as fast as Jairzinho Rozenstruik. He landed with a punch on former champion Andrei Arlovski, earning a 29-second victory in the heavyweight division.

UFC Fight Pass Prelims

Katlyn Chookagian topped Jennifer Maia in the featured bout on UFC Fight Pass. Chookagian picked up a decision for the win.

Lyman Good stopped Chance Rencountre in the third round with strikes at welterweight. Hakeem Dawodu kicked off the night with a split decision over Julio Arce at featherweight.

UFC 244: Masvidal Vs. Diaz Results

Jorge Masvidal def. Nate Diaz via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 3

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 KO (head-kick) at 2:47 of Round 1

Corey Anderson def. Johnny Walker via TKO (strikes) at 2:07 of Round 1

Shane Burgos def. Makwan Amirkhani via TKO (strikes) at 4:32 of Round 3

Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brad Tavares via KO (head-kick) at 2:27 of Round 1

Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (strike) at :29 of Round 1

Katlyn Chookagian def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lyman Good def. Chance Rencountre via TKO (strikes) at 2:03 of Round 3

Hakeem Dawodu def. Julio Arce via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)