UFC 244 predictions -- Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz: Odds, fight card, expert picks, date

UFC 244 predictions -- Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz: Odds, fight card, expert picks, date

UFC pay-in step with-perspectives in 2019 have widely added, but Saturday night in New York City has the capability to go down as one of the first-class of the complete 12 months. It's uncommon to get a card from the merchandising it truly is loaded from pinnacle to bottom, however this is precisely what we are going to get internal Madison Square Garden this weekend. 

While Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz are rightfully getting the shine they deserve heading into UFC 244 from the World's Most Famous Arena, every fighter on this card has the ability to breakout of their own manner and steal some of the highlight from the 2 important eventers. 

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Masvidal receives the possibility to headline his first PPV event after two of the maximum brutal knockouts of the yr. He rallied to finish Darren Till in England with a slick left hook before "finishing" Ben Askren in a UFC document five seconds with a flying knee from throughout the cage. 

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Complete fight card breakdown

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His brand has by no means been hotter and one ought to make the argument he's a win on Saturday short of incomes a title shot.

Diaz, meanwhile, will enter simply his 2nd fight in three years after incomes a choice over Anthony Pettis in August. The more youthful of two fighting brothers has reached cult-hero popularity after his wars with Conor McGregor and more recently preventing USADA and UFC to clean his name of a pronounced unfavourable finding in his drug check only a week before this bout. Diaz stated he could now not show up until his call become cleared of any wrongdoing. His stress worked as UFC and USADA ultimately released statements that Diaz did no longer devote an anti-doping violation.

All of that is to say: we're blessed to in the end attain combat day and notice two of the baddest -- and coolest -- combatants in UFC do conflict for 25 mins on Saturday night. 

Buckle up, it'll be a wild ride. Let's take a more in-depth study the relaxation of the card with the cutting-edge odds from MGM.

With the sort of huge major occasion on faucet, the crew at CBS Sports went in advance with predictions and picks for the main card with modern odds from Westgate. Here are your pick out makers: Brent Brookhouse (Combat sports writer), Brian Campbell (Combat sports activities author), Matthew Coca (manufacturer), Jack Crosby (editor), Michael Mormile (manufacturer) and Brandon Wise (editor).

Campbell on why Diaz will win: When Masvidal matches his explosive offense with Diaz's constant flow of correct moves, the ability for violent combustion in the shape of an entertaining brawl is through the roof. Something will need to separate the 2, however, mainly if their chins and collective iron wills permit the combat to move the entire 5 rounds. That's where Diaz's busier hands can help him with the judges, no longer to mention his tested track report of 5-spherical stamina compared to that of Masvidal. Diaz proved against Anthony Pettis that the best issue 3 years away from the Octagon did became maintain him sparkling and encouraged. His enjoy benefit competing on a platform this huge ought to assist Diaz find the brink he needs to pop out on top. 

Brookhouse on why Masvidal will win: Masvidal is using a wave of self belief we have not seen thus far in his lengthy profession. Why shouldn't he be? His knockout of Darren Till changed into awesome and his five-2nd knockout of Ben Askren become historical and celebrity-making. Mix in some iconic moments -- "3 piece and a soda" and "excellent essential" -- and we're sooner or later seeing a Masvidal equipped to grab the highlight and run with it. What does that need to do with selecting him to win a combat with Nate Diaz? Everything. Masvidal is fighting like a person who sooner or later knows this recreation completely, both mentally and physically. It's going to be an extended, hard fight, but I think he can in shape Diaz everywhere however sheer extent of punches, but his strength makes up for it.

Crosby on why Diaz will win: I've long gone back and forth in my head on this combat more than another I've picked in recent reminiscence. When it comes down to it, even though, Diaz has validated time and time once more that he possesses both the abilties and intelligence to navigate out of hassle whilst he needs to. I consider that Masvidal will present a extreme danger to Diaz, however the pride of Stockton, California will discover the important course to get out of hassle. I accept as true with this is going a full, action-packed five rounds with Diaz coming out on pinnacle on factors. 

Wise on why Masvidal will win: The matchup on paper is about as even as it receives when you element in everything. Masvidal won't have the wrestling base to preserve up with Diaz on the ground, but the long layoff for the person from Stockton nonetheless has me concerned no matter how outstanding he regarded towards Pettis. There's additionally no denying that something special goes on with "Gamebred" at this point in his career. When fighters get on those magical runs, it is almost not possible to expect whilst it comes off the tracks. Masvidal takes a grueling selection victory.

Campbell on why Gastelum will win: Is it a terrific sign while your promoter tries to talk you from your subsequent fight because he deems it too dangerous? That's the treatment Till, who made the flow up from welterweight, obtained from UFC president Dana White and the warning makes feel thinking about Till fresh off a pair of high-degree defeats. Gastelum proved in his fight-of-the-yr contender in opposition to Israel Adesanya in April that he's geared up for the elite degree and has the dog inside of him to snuff out every body who is not. While Till, who turned pro as a middleweight, is big sufficient where size may not be a component, particularly due to the fact Gastelum is also a blown-up welterweight. But the rate and power of Gastelum's explosive counter attack can give up the combat at any point if Till makes a mistake. 

Crosby on why Gastelum will win: Till showed not anything at welterweight these days that would provide me with any faith in him within the close to future. So with that stated, how inside the global am I presupposed to consider that he's going to enter that Octagon at middleweight and defeat the person who took the reigning 185-pound champion to his very restriction earlier this year? I am now not buying into the argument that the bump up in weight goes to play a advantageous function for Till -- at least not in this particular combat. Unfortunately for the 26-yr-old who turned into once pegged to be the subsequent pinnacle trash-speaking celebrity, I see a second consecutive KO loss on the horizon. 

Brookhouse on why Luque will win: Thompson is 36 years vintage and 1-3-1 in his final five. Luque is 27 and 5-zero with four knockouts within the same span. This looks like a classic crossroads fight. Thompson nonetheless is a risky opponent and it'd be dishonest to faux the extent of opposition they have confronted is even. That stated, Luque has the capacity to complete fights in a way Thompson hasn't shown in a long term. Thompson has 5 knockout wins in his 14 UFC fights, Luque has six (and  submissions) in 12 trips to the Octagon. Give me the younger fighter on the upswing.

Who wins Diaz vs. Masvidal, and the way precisely does every fight quit? Visit SportsLine now to get unique selections on every fight at UFC 244, all from the expert who is up nearly $19,000 on MMA bets within the beyond yr.