The crowd at Madison Square Garden rocked during Saturday's UFC 244 main event between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, getting the action they came to expect.
Masvidal got the better of Diaz for much of the fight, including opening a significant gash above Diaz's right eye early in Round 1. That cut ended up bringing an end to the fight for the BMF title, with a doctor refusing to allow Diaz to continue after Round 3, despite Diaz's insisting that he was OK.
As one might have guessed, the fighters appeared to be in disbelief, and the fans in New York were ticked. Although many in the world of MMA and sports in general expressed their disappointment on social media, others applauded Masvidal.
If this was WWE , you'd have a long reigning champ that you don't want to lose clean. So you either make a triple threat match or have someone run in and cost him the title. I'm a dork, but great job by both guys. Jorge looked like a killer, and Nate is a Dog(west side) #bmf
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 3, 2019
NEVER EVER EVER FIGHT IN NEW YORK. Same exact doctor looked me in the eye and told me I had a broken leg. I knew I didn't and knew I could continue. MSG...amazing history and venue...NY...horrible commission. #ufc244
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 3, 2019
Darn. Diaz-masvidal was so much fun. Dr for sure SHOULD have stopped with that cut, but no one wanted it to end that way #ufc244
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) November 3, 2019
I really wanted to see those last 2 rounds bc Diaz always turns it up in those championship rounds with his cardio #ufc244 run it back . But Masvidal looked amazing
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) November 3, 2019
Congrats @GamebredFighter 🙌🏼
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) November 3, 2019
Congratulations to Jorge Masvidal @GamebredFighter for his win against a very tough Nate Diaz. Nothing should be taken away from his dominant effort because the ref stopped it. More versatile and dimensional and better. Respect to both. #ufc244 #MasvidalDiaz #gamebred
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) November 3, 2019
The #BMF is officially @GamebredFighter!
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) November 3, 2019
Two big wins for the 3️⃣0️⃣5️⃣ tonight. pic.twitter.com/59mPNsiX5t
Whatttt!!!!! That was a crazy call by the doc.
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) November 3, 2019
Certainly lived up to the hype while it lasted! Let's run it back!!!!
Masvidal looked phenomenal in there for sure though. #UFC
I want that belt @Ufc it means the most
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) November 3, 2019
BMF belt needs to be Vale Tudo rules.
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) November 3, 2019