UFC 244 Results: The First Ever BMF Champion Is Crowned & Several Big Finishes
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Main Card (10pm EST., ESPN+)
BMF Championship
#3 Jorge Masvidal def. #7 Nate Diaz by TKO via doctor stoppage (5:00, R3) to win the title
#10 (WW) Darren Till def. #4 Kelvin Gastelum by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 27-30)
#9 Stephen Thompson def. #14 Vicente Luque by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
#5 Derrick Lewis def. #8 Blagoy Ivanov by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
#10 Kevin Lee def. #11 Gregor Gillespie by KO via head kick (2:47, R1)
Preliminary Card (8pm EST., ESPN 2)
#7 Corey Anderson def. #11 Johnny Walker by TKO via strikes (2:07, R1)
#12 Shane Burgos def. Makwan Amirkhani by TKO via strikes (4:32, R3)
#13 Edmen Shahbazyan def. #11 Brad Tavares by KO via head kick (2:27, R1)
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Andrei Arlovski by KO via punch (0:29, R1)
Preliminary Card (6:30pm EST., ESPN+)
#1 Katlyn Chookagian def. #5 Jennifer Maia by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lyman Good def. Chance Rencountre by TKO via strikes (2:03, R3)
Hakeem Dawodu def. Julio Arce by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Julio Arce vs. Hakeem Dawodu
Round One: The round begins with Dawodu attacking Arce with a variety of kicks, Dawodu starts nailing Arce with some leg kicks. Dawodu backs up Arce while throwing a high kick, Dawodu gets Arce against the cage wall after landing a knee strike. The fighters clinch and exchange a few knee strikes, the fighters separate and Arce hits Dawodu with a left to the midsection. Arce comes forward and he attacks Dawodu with a leaping knee strike followed by a left, Dawodu nails Arce with front kicks to the midsection. Arce backs up Dawodu after landing a straight left, the fighters clinch and exchange knee strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Dawodu
Round Two: The round begins with Dawodu attacking Arce with some leg kicks, Dawodu and Arce get into a few striking exchanges. Dawodu grabs Arce and gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Dawodu throws a few kicks. Arce eats a left before attacking Dawodu with a combination of his own, Dawodu continues attacking Arce with some high kicks. Arce scores a takedown on Dawodu and he gets the half guard, Arce transitions to back control against Dawodu. Dawodu spins at the right time to get top control on Arce, Dawodu postures up and he kicks away at the legs of Arce until Arce gets up. Arce hits Dawodu with a front kick to the face as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Arce (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Dawodu nailing Arce with a multiple strike combination, Dawodu grabs Arce and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and take some swings at each other, Dawodu backs up a swinging Arce after landing a counter right. Dawodu gets Arce against the cage wall while landing knee strikes, the fighters separate and Dawodu cracks Arce with another right. Arce grabs a swinging Dawodu and gets him against the cage wall, Dawodu lands a few knee strikes before separating from Arce. Dawodu cracks a swinging Arce with a counter left followed by a knee strike, Arce looks for a takedown and Dawodu prevents it before landing more strikes. The fighters get into a striking exchange as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Dawodu (Final Score: 29-29 for Dawodu)
Official Result: Hakeem Dawodu def. Julio Arce by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Lyman Good vs. Chance Rencountre
Round One: The round begins with Good attacking Rencountre with a punching combination, Rencountre starts nailing Good with some leg kicks. Good also attacks Rencountre with some leg kicks of his own, Good cracks a kicking Rencountre with a counter right. Good comes forward and he nails Rencountre with a right hook, Rencountre and Good get into some wild striking exchanges. Rencountre grabs Good and he gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and take some swings at each other. Good cracks Rencountre with a high kick followed by a multiple punch combination, Good then nails a backing Rencountre with a plethora of rights. Rencountre recovers and he nails Good with a knee strike to the midsection, Good cracks Rencountre with a high kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Good
Round Two: The round begins with Good and Rencountre taking a few swings at each other, Rencountre goes for a flying knee strike and Good counters with a combination. Good cracks a swinging Rencountre with a counter right, Good starts attacking Rencountre with some leg kicks. Good continues nailing Rencountre with punching combinations, Rencountre comes forward and Good throws more counter strikes. Rencountre nails a swinging Good with a step in knee strike to the midsection, Rencountre comes forward and he takes some swings at Good. Rencountre backs up Good after nailing him with a few straight lefts, Rencountre goes for a knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Good (Overall Score: 20-18 for Good)
Round Three: The round begins with Rencountre coming forward and he attacks Good with lefts, Good cracks a swinging Rencountre with a counter right. Good continues attacking Rencountre with rights, Good rocks Rencountre with a head kick and the follow up combination forces the referee to jump in.
Official Result: Lyman Good def. Chance Rencountre by TKO via strikes (2:03, R3)
#1 Katlyn Chookagian vs. #5 Jennifer Maia
Round One: The round begins with Chookagian and Maia exchanging some jabs, Maia starts hitting Chookagian with some leg kicks. Chookagian cracks Maia with a few combinations, Chookagian comes forward and she attacks Maia with a high kick. Chookagian stays at a distance while picking Maia apart with strikes, Maia charges forward and she hits Chookagian with a left followed by a right. Maia grabs a kicking Chookagian and she gets her against the cage wall, Maia nails Chookagian with some knee strikes to the thighs before separating. Chookagian and Maia exchange some punching combinations, Chookagian attacks Maia with a variety of kicks. Chookagian nails a swinging Maia with a counter overhand right, Chookagian lands another right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Chookagian
Round Two: The round begins with Maia attacking Chookagian with some leg kicks, Chookagian comes forwards and she pops Maia with a right. Maia eats a few combinations before landing a kick to the midsection of Chookagian, Chookagian nails a swinging Maia with a head kick. Maia swings away at Chookagian after eating an uppercut, Maia continues charging at Chookagian while swinging away at her. Chookagian starts landing some leg kicks against Maia, Chookagian continuously lands combinations against Maia. Maia pops a swinging Chookagian with an overhand right, Maia continues throwing rights at Chookagian. Maia charges at Chookagian while landing a left hook, Chookagian pops a swinging Maia with a counter right. Chookagian looks for a takedown as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Chookagian (Overall Score: 20-18 for Chookagian)
Round Three: The round begins with Maia coming forward while swinging away at Chookagian, Chookagian starts attacking Maia with some leg kicks. Maia grabs Chookagian and gets her against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Chookagian lands more kicks. Maia continues charging forward while swinging away at Chookagian, Chookagian nails a swinging Maia with a counter right to the midsection. Maia cracks Chookagian with a kick to the midsection, Chookagian stays at a distance while peppering Maia with combinations. Maia grabs Chookagian and she scores a takedown a few moments later, Maia lands some ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Chookagian (Final Score: 30-27 for Chookagian)
Official Result: #1 Katlyn Chookagian def. #5 Jennifer Maia by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Andrei Arlovski vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Round One: The round begins with Rozenstruik attacking Arlovski with some leg kicks, Rozenstruik and Arlovski get into a wild striking exchange near the cage wall. Rozenstruik levels a charging Arlovski with a counter left and Arlovski goes out cold.
Official Result: Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Andrei Arlovski by KO via punch (0:29, R1)
#11 Brad Tavares vs. #13 Edmen Shahbazyan
Round One: The round begins with Tavares attempting a few jabs against Shahbazyan, Tavares also attacks Shahbazyan with some leg kicks. Shahbazyan comes forward and he takes a few swings at Tavares, Tavares attacks Shahbazyan with a few combinations. Tavares nails a swinging Shahbazyan with a kick to the midsection, Shahbazyan comes forward and he pops Tavares with a left hook. Shahbazyan drops Tavares with a right and Tavares gets up while eating a plethora of strikes, Shahbazyan levels Tavares with a head kick and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #13 Edmen Shahbazyan def. #11 Brad Tavares by KO via head kick (2:27, R1)
#12 Shane Burgos vs. Makwan Amirkhani
Round One: The round begins with Amirkhani instantly hunting for a takedown before landing a right, Amirkhani grabs Burgos and gets him against the cage wall. Amirkhani scores a takedown on Burgos and he gets the open guard, Burgos gets up and Amirkhani gets him back against the cage wall. Amirkhani scores another takedown on Burgos and Burgos gets right back up, Amirkhani gets Burgos back down and he applies an arm in guillotine choke and Burgos escapes to get the fight standing again. Amirkhani cracks Burgos with a left before failing at a takedown attempt, Burgos then cracks Amirkhani with a right. Amirkhani cracks Burgos with an uppercut followed by a right, Burgos backs up Amirkhani while landing a few strikes and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Amirkhani
Round Two: The round begins with Amirkhani peppering Burgos with a few jabs, Amirkhani starts hunting for takedowns again. Burgos backs up Amirkhani while swinging away at him, Burgos cracks Amirkhani with a right to the midsection. Burgos also attacks Amirkhani with some leg kicks, Burgos continues attacking the midsection of Amirkhani. Amirkhani tries keeping Burgos at a distance by throwing more jabs, Amirkhani drags Burgos to the ground and he gets back control. Burgos gets up and Amirkhani gets him against the cage wall, the fighters exchange a few strikes before separating. Burgos goes back to attacking the midsection of Amirkhani, Amirkhani goes for a takedown and Burgos defends while landing strikes. Burgos gets free and he gets top position on the downed Amirkhani, Burgos lands some ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Burgos (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Burgos nailing a leaping Amirkhani with a counter right, Burgos drops Amirkhani with a combination and he pounces on him with more strikes. Burgos gets up and he makes Amirkhani stand as well, Burgos nails Amirkhani with a right followed by a head kick. Burgos continues attacking Amirkhani with rights, Amirkhani goes for a takedown and Burgos defends by landing strikes. Amirkhani comes forward and he takes a few swings at Burgos, Amirkhani goes for another takedown and Burgos again defends while landing strikes. Burgos drops Amirkhani while landing a plethora of elbow strikes, Burgos gets side control on a downed Amirkhani and he lands more strikes. Burgos gets up and he makes Amirkhani stand as well, Burgos backs up Amirkhani while landing more strikes. Burgos drops Amirkhani with a combination and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #12 Shane Burgos def. Makwan Amirkhani by TKO via strikes (4:32, R3)
#7 Corey Anderson vs. #11 Johnny Walker
Round One: The round begins with Walker attacking Anderson with some leg kicks, Anderson grabs Walker and they battle along the cage wall. Anderson nails Walker with a knee strike before separating, Anderson rocks Walker with an overhand right before dropping him with a follow up combination. Walker gets up as Anderson attacks him with more strikes, Anderson scores a takedown on Walker and Walker gets up. Anderson attacks Walker with more uppercuts, Anderson pounces on Walker with more unanswered strikes and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #7 Corey Anderson def. #11 Johnny Walker by TKO via strikes (2:07, R1)
#10 Kevin Lee vs. #11 Gregor Gillespie
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Lee and Gillespie also exchange some jabs. Lee cracks an incoming Gillespie with a straight right, Gillespie responds by nailing Lee with an uppercut. Gillespie and Lee get into a few striking exchanges, Lee then pops Gillespie with a right to the midsection. Gillespie starts attacking Lee with some leg kicks, Lee attacks a jabbing Gillespie with combinations. Lee destroys Gillespie with a head kick and Gillespie goes out cold.
Official Result: #10 Kevin Lee def. #11 Gregor Gillespie by KO via head kick (2:47, R1)
#5 Derrick Lewis vs. #8 Blagoy Ivanov
Round One: The round begins with Lewis attempting a few kicks against Ivanov, Ivanov scores a takedown on Lewis and he gets side control. Ivanov rolls for an americana and Lewis scrambles to his feet to get free, Lewis and Ivanov get into a wild striking exchange near the cage wall. Lewis scores a takedown on Ivanov and Ivanov gets right back up, Lewis cracks Ivanov with an elbow strike to the head. Lewis keeps Ivanov near the cage wall while taking some swings at him, the fighters separate and swing away at each other until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lewis
Round Two: The round begins with Lewis attacking Ivanov with some leg kicks, Ivanov backs up Lewis by landing a left. The fighters clinch and Lewis gets Ivanov against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Ivanov lands some leg kicks. Lewis rocks Ivanov with a multiple punch combination, Lewis and Ivanov get into a wild striking exchange until Ivanov scores a takedown. Ivanov goes for a key lock and Lewis scrambles to his feet, Lewis cracks a backing Ivanov with a few rights. Ivanov grabs Lewis and he gets him against the cage wall, Ivanov lands a few strikes while clinching with Lewis. Lewis rocks Ivanov with an uppercut followed by a right, Ivanov comes forward and he nails Lewis with a left. Ivanov scores a takedown on Lewis and he applies a front choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ivanov (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Ivanov taking a few swings at Lewis, Lewis responds by attacking Ivanov with a right. Ivanov grabs Lewis and gets him up against the cage wall, Lewis gets free and the fighters separate. Ivanov comes forward and he nails Lewis with a few lefts, Lewis goes for a takedown and Ivanov stuffs it. Lewis charges at Ivanov and they take a few swings at each other, the fighters clinch and exchange strikes. The fighters separate and Lewis lands a series of rights as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lewis (Final Score: 29-28 for Lewis)
Official Result: #5 Derrick Lewis def. #8 Blagoy Ivanov by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
#9 Stephen Thompson vs. #14 Vicente Luque
Round One: The round begins with Luque attacking Thompson with some leg kicks, Thompson uses the jab to keep Luque at a distance. Thompson and Luque have a few striking exchanges, Thompson starts landing some leg kicks of his own against Luque. Luque backs up Thompson after landing a right, Thompson responds by hitting Luque with a straight left. Thompson also nails Luque with a kick to the midsection, Luque backs up Thompson while landing a multiple punch combination. Luque stuns Thompson with a right before landing a few knee strikes, Thompson recovers and he nails Luque with a right. Luque cracks a swinging Thompson with a kick to the midsection, Luque comes forward to exchange strikes with Thompson. Thompson then hits Luque with a three strike combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Luque
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Thompson dances around Luque while throwing jabs. Luque comes forward and Thompson hits him with a straight left, Luque backs up Thompson while swinging away at him. Luque and Thompson also exchange some leg kicks, Thompson attacks Luque with some punching combinations. Thompson briefly drops Luque with a side kick, Thompson rocks Luque with a right and he attacks him with a wheel kick afterwards. Luque recovers and he cracks Thompson with a right, Thompson and Luque get into a few striking exchanges. Thompson then nails a swinging Luque with a side kick to the upper body, Thompson backs up Luque after landing a few rights. Thompson backs Luque into the cage wall while landing more combinations, Thompson lands a few more rights as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Thompson (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Thompson picking apart Luque with jabs, Thompson drops Luque with a combo and Luque gets up. Thompson drops Luque with a body shot and he pounces on him with more strikes, Thompson lets Luque get back up before landing a few lefts. Thompson dances around Luque while peppering him with strikes, Luque comes forward and he kicks Thompson in the midsection. Luque hits a swinging Thompson with a counter overhand right, Luque starts landing more strikes against Thompson. Thompson and Luque also exchange a few rights, Thompson backs Luque into the cage wall while swinging away at him. Thompson swings away at Luque as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Thompson (Final Score: 29-28 for Thompson)
Official Result: #9 Stephen Thompson def. #14 Vicente Luque by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
#4 Kelvin Gastelum vs. #10 (WW) Darren Till
Round One: The round begins with Till nailing Gastelum with a knee strike to the midsection while in the clinch, Gastelum gets Till against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Till attacks Gastelum with some leg kicks, Gastelum grabs Till and gets him against the cage wall. Gastelum lands a few strikes on Till while in the clinch, the fighters separate and Till throws more kicks. Gastelum starts landing a few leg kicks of his own against Till, the fighters also exchange a few lefts after a brief clinch. Till nails Gastelum with a two punch combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Till
Round Two: The round begins with Gastelum attacking Till with some leg kicks, Till also lands some leg kicks of his own. Gastelum cracks Till with a knee strike to the midsection, Till cracks Gastelum with a strep in left hook. Till grabs a swinging Gastelum and gets him against the cage wall, Gastelum cracks Till with an elbow strike as they separate. Gastelum accidentally pokes Till in the eye and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Till kicking away at Gastelum. Gastelum grabs Till and gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and exchange leg kicks. The fighters throw a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Till (Overall Score: 20-18 for Till)
Round Three: The round begins with Gastelum attacking Till with a few kicks, Till responds by nailing Gastelum with a left. Till then hits Gastelum with a two punch combination, Till continuously attacks Gastelum with lefts. Till briefly drops Gastelum and Gastelum gets right back up, Till lands a knee strike to the head of Gastelum. Till grabs Gastelum and briefly gets him against the cage wall, Gastelum scores a takedown on Till and Till gets right back up. Gastelum scores another takedown and Till gets up again as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Till (Final Score: 30-27 for Till)
Official Result: #10 (WW) Darren Till def. #4 Kelvin Gastelum by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 27-30)
BMF Championship
#3 Jorge Masvidal vs. #7 Nate Diaz
Round One: The round begins with Diaz backing up Masvidal with a three punch combination, Masvidal nails Diaz with a leg kick before getting him up against the cage wall. Masvidal rocks Diaz by landing a ton of elbow strikes before dropping him with a head kick, Masvidal pounces on a downed Diaz with some ground and pound. Masvidal postures up and he takes some swings at Diaz, Masvidal eventually allows Diaz to get back up. Masvidal nails Diaz with a kick to the midsection, Diaz grabs Masvidal and gets him against the cage wall. Masvidal nails Diaz with a kick and elbow strike before separating, Diaz stuns Masvidal with a multiple punch combination followed by a knee strike. Masvidal and Diaz get into multiple striking exchanges, Diaz nails Masvidal with a left as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal
Round Two: The round begins with Diaz coming forward and swinging away at Masvidal, Diaz backs Masvidal into the cage wall while throwing combinations. Masvidal nails Diaz with a kick to the midsection, Masvidal eats a combo before kicking Diaz in the midsection again. Masvidal backs up a swinging Diaz after landing a right, Masvidal drops Diaz after landing a right followed by a body kick. Masvidal backs up and he allows Diaz to stand up, Masvidal then cracks a swinging Diaz with a counter left. Diaz grabs Masvidal and gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Masvidal gets Diaz against the cage wall. Masvidal lights up Diaz with a combination upon separating, Masvidal then hits Diaz with a right followed by knee strikes. Masvidal scores a takedown on Diaz and he gets back control, Diaz gets up and Masvidal gets back control after Diaz goes for a roll. Diaz rolls for a leg as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal (Overall Score: 20-18 for Masvidal)
Round Three: The round begins with Diaz taking a few swings at Masvidal, Diaz nails Masvidal with a right to the midsection. Diaz continues coming forward and swinging away at Masvidal, Masvidal backs up Diaz after landing a right followed by a body kick. Diaz throws a few strikes as Masvidal keeps kicking him in the midsection, Masvidal backs Diaz into the cage wall after landing a left. The fighters separate and Diaz eats a right while coming forward, Diaz then cracks Masvidal with a multiple punch combination. Masvidal cracks a swinging Diaz with a counter right, Masvidal continues working over the body of Diaz. Diaz grabs Masvidal and gets him up against the cage wall, Diaz throws a few strikes while in the clinch. Masvidal scores a takedown on Diaz and he immediately lands strikes, Diaz also throws a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal (Overall Score: 30-27 for Masvidal)
In between rounds, the doctor waves off the fight due to the cuts on Nate Diaz.
Official Result: #3 Jorge Masvidal def. #7 Nate Diaz by TKO via doctor stoppage (5:00, R3) to win the title
