NEW YORK — Jorge Masvidal is the “BMF” of the octagon, but the way he won the inaugural belt left a sour taste in fans’ mouths.
Masvidal defeated Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in the main event at Madison Square Garden because of a doctor’s stoppage following the end of the third round of the fight.
Diaz’s face was severely cut at the end of the round and the doctor called off the fight prior to the start of the fourth, even though Diaz pleaded to the doctor that he was okay to continue. This resulted in a series of boos from the crowd.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson presented the new “BMF” belt around Masvidal’s waist, but both fighters were disappointed with the way the fight ended in their post-fight interviews with Joe Rogan and agreed to have a rematch down the road.
Promise kept. @TheRock wraps the #BMF belt around @GamebredFighter's waist. #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/y5Q5JvhMmL
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2019
Despite the controversial ending, Masvidal controlled much of the fight. According to FightMetric, Masvidal out-struck Diaz 112-43 and also had the lone takedown in the fight.
Masvidal drops Diaz in round 1!! #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/IuiZRgpMOK
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2019
Masvidal now has won three consecutive fights, including his five-second knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239, which is the fastest knockout in UFC history. Diaz has lost two of his last three fights, with his lone win coming against Anthony Pettis at UFC 241.
