bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Tom Taylor

Saturday’s UFC 244 card in New York City was one for the books. From the Jorge Masvidal versus Nate Diaz main event to the earliest bouts of the undercard, the event produced some unforgettable action and had a significant effect on a number of the UFC’s most exciting divisions.
With the card now in the rear-view mirror, let’s take a look at a few of the match-ups that should be made going forward.
Jorge Masvidal vs Kamaru Usman or Colby Covington
Having defeated Diaz in the UFC 244 main event, Masvidal can now look forward to a shot at the UFC welterweight title. Who that title shot comes against, though, remains to be seen.


The welterweight belt will next be on the line at UFC 245 on December 14 in Las Vegas, when reigning champ Kamaru Usman defends against top contender Colby Covington.
Masvidal deserves an opportunity to fight for gold no matter who wins at UFC 245, but we’ll get a much better storyline if Covington becomes the champion. He and Masvidal were once good friends, but over the past few months the two American Top Team fighters have devolved into bitter rivals. And grudge matches always sell.

Nate Diaz vs Dustin Poirier
Diaz is adamant he deserves a rematch with Masvidal, as it was a cut, not a knockout or submission, that caused him to lose the fight.
That being said, it doesn’t sound like he’ll get that opportunity.
UFC: Poirier apologises to Nate Diaz; reveals why fight fell through
While the Californian has stubbornly stated he’ll sit out if the UFC doesn’t give him the Masvidal rematch he desires, he can probably be convinced to reconsider if he’s adequately compensated.
By far the biggest fight available to Diaz at this point would be a tiebreaking trilogy bout with Conor McGregor. With McGregor targeting a January comeback against Donald Cerrone or Justin Gaethje, however, the fight to make for Diaz in the meantime is against Dustin Poirier.
He and Poirier were briefly expected to fight in late 2018, but the match-up didn’t come to fruition. Now that they’re both riding losses – Poirier was recently submitted by lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov – the time has come to book the fight again, whether it’s at welterweight or lightweight.

Darren Till vs Jared Cannonier
When Darren Till defeated Kelvin Gastelum in the co-main event of UFC 244, he set himself up for more huge fights in the middleweight division.
Unfortunately for him, many of the division’s top dogs are currently tied up. The reigning champion Israel Adesanya is expected to battle Yoel Romero in the new year, and top contender Paulo Costa is injured.
UFC: Till’s money on Tyson Fury against Stipe, Ngannou
Of the options available for Till at the moment, Jared Cannonier seems like the best bet.
To call this fight a tough match-up for Till, a former welterweight, would be an understatement.
Cannonier previously competed in the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions, and would likely have a huge size and strength advantage in the fight.

Kelvin Gastelum vs Robert Whittaker
Having lost to Till, Gastelum will now have to return to the drawing board. As he attempts to make a comeback in early 2020, the UFC should match him up with former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker.
The pair were expected to fight for the middleweight title in early 2019, but the bout was cancelled at the last minute when Whittaker was rushed to the hospital with a hernia. With both coming off tough setbacks, the time to pit them against each other is now. Hopefully this time both men are able to stay healthy.

Valentina Shevchenko vs Katlyn Chookagian
The high-stakes nature of Katlyn Chookagian’s UFC 244 fight with Jennifer Maia was betrayed by its position on the card’s early prelims. Yet it was an incredibly meaningful match-up.
By defeating Maia, Chookagian has seemingly earned herself a crack at dominating UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
While she’s likely to enter this yet unscheduled match-up as a big underdog, she’s proven herself as the division’s top contender. Expect to see this title fight added to a card in early 2020.


UFC: Jorge Masvidal moving on to Nate Diaz because Kamaru Usman wants ‘insane money’

UFC: Jorge Masvidal already in camp for next fight, says manager – ‘he gave somebody his word’

UFC: Israel Adesanya on Yoel Romero’s ‘cheating’ in the Octagon – ‘can you sleep at night?’

UFC: Jorge Masvidal rips Nate Diaz for comments after fight – ‘they don’t sit well with me’

UFC 244

UFC 244: five fights we need to see next including Nate Diaz vs Dustin Poirier

Nate Diaz fights Jorge Masvidal during the first round at UFC 244. Photo: AP

Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Katlyn Chookagian (red gloves) fights Jennifer Maia (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Darren Till (blue gloves) defeats Kelvin Gastelum (red gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

Britain's Darren Till, left, punches Kelvin Gastelum during the second round of a middleweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in New York. Till won the fight. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jorge Masvidal, right, punches Nate Diaz during the third round of a welterweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in New York. Masvidal won in the fourth round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jorge Masvidal willing to step in at UFC 245 – ‘Dana White isn’t going to like the figure’

Jorge Masvidal smiles during his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Photos: AFP

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: Nate Diaz of the United States (L) fights against Jorge Masvidal of the United States in the Welterweight "BMF" championship bout during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2019 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: Jorge Masvidal of the United States is awarded the belt by Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson after his victory by TKO on a medical stoppage against Nate Diaz of the United States in the Welterweight "BMF" championship bout during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2019 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 244: Jorge Masvidal says Conor McGregor ‘won’t sign the paper’ to fight him

Jorge Masvidal punches Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Photo: AP

UFC 244: Jorge Masvidal calls out Canelo – ‘I could make it 1-1 MMA versus boxing’

Jorge Masvidal kicks Nate Diaz during the first round at UFC 244. Photo: AP

Nate Diaz tells UFC ‘don’t play me’ as he warns Jorge Masvidal: ‘I’m coming for you’

Nate Diaz wants to run it back with Jorge Masvidal after the doctor called their UFC 244 fight off. Photo: AFP

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, center, places the "BMF" belt on Jorge Masvidal, left, as Nate Diaz reacts after a welterweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 early Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in New York. Masvidal won in the fourth round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jorge Masvidal, left, kicks Nate Diaz during the first round of a welterweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 early Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in New York. Masvidal stopped Diaz in the fourth round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz prove UFC is out-punching boxing with Canelo made to wait

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson holds the belt for the welterweight bout between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Photo: AFP

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 02: The UFC 244 welterweight bout between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is shown on screens at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boxing partners DAZN network and Golden Boy Promotions delayed the start of the WBO light heavyweight title fight between Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev until after the conclusion of UFC 244's pay-per-view event. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Jorge Masvidal, above, punches Nate Diaz during the first round of a welterweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 early Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in New York. Masvidal stopped Diaz during the fourth round.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

02 November 2019, US, Las Vegas: Mexican professional boxer Canelo Alvarez (C) poses for a picture with the trophy belts after he won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight title. Photo: Gene Blevins/ZUMA Wire/dpa

iNov 2, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Canelo Alvarez (blue/green trunks) knocks out Sergey Kovalev (black/white/red trunks) during their WBO light heavyweight title bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Alvarez won via 11th round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Diaz wants an immediate rematch with Jorge Masvidal, but ‘Gamebred’ should face Colby Covington or Kamaru Usman
Here are the five match-ups that need to be made going forward after a blockbuster night in New York City



Nate Diaz wants an immediate rematch with Jorge Masvidal, but here are the five match-ups that make most sense going forward for the UFC after a huge night in New York.


UFC 244: five fights we need to see next including Nate Diaz vs Dustin Poirier

Diaz wants an immediate rematch with Jorge Masvidal, but ‘Gamebred’ should face Colby Covington or Kamaru Usman Here are the five match-ups that need to be made going forward after a blockbuster night in New York City

Diaz wants an immediate rematch with Jorge Masvidal, but ‘Gamebred’ should face Colby Covington or Kamaru Usman

Here are the five match-ups that need to be made going forward after a blockbuster night in New York City