Author: Dan Hiergesell

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Donald Trump became the first President of the United States to sit cageside at a live UFC event last night (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) at UFC 244 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, when he showed up to witness the “BMF” title fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

Rumors swirled earlier this week that Trump was going to pull some strings to make an appearance at UFC 244, but with the amount of security the President had to bring with him some fight fans wondered if he’d actually show. Surprisingly, he did, as UFC posted his face on the big screen just moments into the PPV broadcast following this legendary entrance:

ESPN reporters Ariel Helwani and Brett Okamoto offered two very different accounts of Trump’s arrival at UFC 244:

There was also some commotion outside of MSG as people lined up to protest and support Trump’s attendance at the UFC event:

It was quite the night at UFC 244 with incredible finishes to boot. Adding Trump into the mix makes it just a little more memorable, whether you support him or not.

For complete UFC 244 results and coverage click here.

Esther Lin, Vox Media

Surging light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson derailed the Johnny Walker hype train earlier tonight (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) at UFC 244 live on ESPN+ from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, when he scored one of the most vicious TKO stoppages of the year in the very first round.

Anderson, known more for his pressure wrestling than his powerful hands and knockout finishes, landed a huge right over the top that stung Walker early. “Overtime” moved in quickly and unloaded all hell on. The Brazilian somehow survived all of it before Anderson launched a final right hand that forced the referee to jump in and save Walker.

Check out the final moments above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

With this performance, Anderson not only locks down his fourth-straight win at 205 pounds but also proves to UFC that he does deserve to be considered for a Jon Jones title shot. If the New York native keeps fighting like this and doesn’t simply grind for decision wins then UFC may have no other choice but to throw him “Bones.”

For complete UFC 244 results and coverage click here.

Esther Lin, Vox Media

The finishes kept rolling in earlier tonight (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) at UFC 244 from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, as featherweight contender Shane Burgos put a fight-long beating on Makwan Amirkhani for an eventual TKO finish in the third round.

While Amirkhani had his moments in this fight, the most damage was done at the hands of Burgos, who was fighting in front of the home crowd. The third round proved to be the defining moment as Burgos unloaded heavy combinations and body shots that badly hurt Amirkhani. Amirkhani hung in tough to circle around the cage but another powerful body shot followed by a right hand ultimately put him down.

Check out the full fight video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

With this performance, Burgos earns his third-straight victory inside of the Octagon and his first knockout finish since stopping Charles Rosa back in 2017. The 28-year-old is now 6-1 overall in the UFC’s featherweight division with other impressive wins against veterans Cub Swanson and Kurt Holobaugh.

For complete UFC 244 results and coverage click here.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The action spills over into the boxing ring later this evening (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) live on DAZN from inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) puts his middleweight reign on hold to move up in weight and challenge WBO light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev (34-1-1, 29 KOs) in the main event.

This represents the first time in Canelo’s career that he’s fighting at the light heavyweight level. The Mexican superstar has packed on muscle in the past to take out the likes of Gennady Golovkin, so maybe Alvarez will do it again opposite the man known as “Krusher.” It’s a big opportunity to say the least, especially considering Canelo is just getting started with his lengthy DAZN deal.

Tonight’s main event fight between Canelo and Kovalev is one of the biggest matchups in boxing this year, so best not to miss the action. The only issue is that the ‘Canelo vs. Kovalev’ fight card airs the same time as UFC 244’s PPV event in New York City, which features a “BMF” title fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal (results HERE).

Luckily, DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions recognize the conflict of timing and have already confirmed that Canelo and Kovalev will not make their respective walks to the ring until after UFC 244 comes to a close.

But when will that be? Look no further.

With a PPV main card start time of 10:00 p.m. ET, UFC 244 is likely to come to an end sometime around 1:00 a.m. ET Sunday morning. The main event scrap between Diaz and Masvidal may end sooner if either welterweight is able to find a finish, but it’s also possible that the “BMF” title fight goes all five rounds. Add in four more PPV bouts and it’s safe to say that UFC 244 crushes the midnight mark and nears 1:00 a.m. ET, just in time for Canelo vs. Kovalev.

If things do run late Mania will be sure to provide an updated start time for Canelo’s clash with “Krusher.”

MMAmania will have LIVE coverage of Saturday’s main event. The DAZN broadcast begins with the undercard at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, continues on with the main card at 9:00, and culminates with Canelo and Kovalev making their ring walks around midnight.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best boxers in the world today will make another jump up in weight later tonight (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) live on DAZN from inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as reigning WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) packs on some muscle to challenge veteran knockout artist Sergey Kovalev (34-1-1, 29 KOs) for his WBO light heavyweight championship.

Canelo, who has captured wins over Gennady Golovkin, Rocky Fielding, and Daniel Jacobs since his draw against “GGG” in 2017, will be making his light heavyweight debut in just his third contractual fight with DAZN. The Mexican star hasn’t disappointed inside of the ring since a decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in 2013 so it’s easy to why Canelo gets paid so much to compete. He’s arguably the biggest name in boxing and takes risk to elevate his already cemented legacy.

Kovalev, on the other, will be trying to turn back the clock later this evening in his pursuit of his first title defense since knocking out Igor Mikhalkin in March of last year. The 36-year-old Russian is coming off an impressive knockout victory over Anthony Yarde this past August in which he reclaimed his WBO strap. “Krusher” has never faced an opponent quite like Canelo, especially since the former middleweight will possess a considerable speed advantage come fight time, but Kovalev is hoping his stopping power can thwart the superstar’s light heavyweight crossover.

Be sure to catch all the action later tonight as Canelo makes his light heavyweight debut in search of yet another major boxing title. Check out below for all the ways to view the “Canelo vs. Kovalev” fight card in its entirety:

Start Times

• Saturday, November 2, 2019 from inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
• “Prelims” undercard begins at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT
• Main card begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
• “Canelo vs. Kovalev” main event begins around 1:00 a.m. ET (Sun) / 10:00 p.m. PT (Sat)

Online Viewing

• “Canelo vs. Kovalev” preliminary undercard and main card can be viewed through the DAZN network. Subscriptions run $19.99 per month.

Television Viewing

• For U.S. viewers, DAZN can be broadcast directly on your television via Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, LG Smart TV, Samsung TV, Apple TV, PlayStation, or Xbox.

Mobile Viewing

• “Canelo vs. Kovalev” preliminary undercard and main card will be accessible through DAZN via Android, Amazon Fire, and Apple.

Fight Card

Main card

Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KO) vs Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KO), light heavyweight, 12 rounds
Ryan Garcia (18-0, 15 KO) vs Romero Duno (21-1, 16 KO), lightweight, 12 rounds
Seniesa Estrada (17-0, 7 KO) vs Marlen Esparza (7-0, 1 KO), flyweight, 10 rounds
Blair Cobbs (12-0-1, 8 KO) vs Carlos Ortiz (11-4, 11 KO), welterweight, 10 rounds

“Prelims” undercard

Evan Holyfield (debut) vs Nick Winstead (0-1, 0 KO), junior middleweight, 4 rounds
Bakhram Murtazaliev (16-0, 13 KO) vs Jorge Fortea (20-1-1, 6 KO), junior middleweight, 12 rounds
Tristan Kalkreuth (2-0, 2 KO) vs Twon Smith (3-3, 2 KO), cruiserweight, 4 rounds
Meiirim Nursultanov (12-0, 8 KO) vs Cristian Olivas (16-5, 13 KO), middleweight, 10 rounds

MMAmania will have LIVE coverage of Saturday’s main event. The DAZN broadcast begins with the undercard at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, continues on with the main card at 9:00, and culminates with Canelo and Kovalev making their ring walks around midnight.

Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage

Despite going up against Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal’s “BMF” title fight at UFC 244, Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) will step inside of the boxing ring tomorrow night (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) live on DAZN from inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in effort to take out defending WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (34-1-1, 29 KOs).

This will be the third fight of Canelo’s massive $365 million contract with DAZN, which was signed back in October 2018. Since signing his name on the dotted line the Mexican superstar has captured wins over Rocky Fielding and Daniel Jacobs. Alvarez will now move up two weight classes to challenge Kovalev and try to win yet another major title.

Luckily, Canelo will be earning a pretty penny for his divisional crossover, as the 29-year-old fighter is expected to bank $35 million for his main event clash with Kovalev as part of his deal with DAZN (per ESPN). Canelo stands to cash in even more based on final subscription numbers and any deal he currently has in place with Mexican TV.

Kovalev, on the other hand, is expected to earn a much lower fight purse of $3 million. The 36-year-old Russian champion, who is coming off a brilliant knockout win over Anthony Yarde back in August, could earn up to $12 million total when it’s all said and done. Not too shabby for the veteran fighter as he enters his biggest fight since a pair of bouts with Andre Ward from 2016-2017.

Here are the rest of the salaries for Canelo vs. Kovalev:

Canelo Alvarez $35 million
vs. Sergey Kovalev $3 million (guaranteed million more)

Ryan Garcia $250,000
vs. Romero Duno $50,000

Bakhram Murtazaliev $55,000
vs. Jorge Fortea $20,000

Seniesa Estrada $50,000
vs. Marlen Esparza $50,000

Blair Cobbs $20,000
vs. Carlos Ortiz $5,000

Meiirim Nursultanov $12,500
vs. Cristian Olivas $12,000

Evan Holyfield – Unknown
vs. Nick Winstead – Unknown

MMAmania will have LIVE coverage of Saturday’s main event. The DAZN broadcast begins with the undercard at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, continues on with the main card at 9:00, and culminates with Canelo and Kovalev making their ring walks around midnight.