Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
UFC 244 has an official co-main event, and another big fight at welterweight.
UFC 244 is coming together quickly. Just a few days after announcing a headlining fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal for the mythical “BMF” title, the promotion has announced another 170-pound fight that will have implications on that rankings.
Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports via Twitter that Stephen Thompson will meet Vicente Luque at the November event:
Breaking: Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs. Vicente Luque has been added to UFC 244 on Nov. 2 in NYC, per Dana White. Wonderboy wanted to return to MSG and Luque, 10-2 in the UFC, hails from nearby New Jersey. Fun matchup at 170. pic.twitter.com/Ujtt3HvcVb
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 10, 2019
Thompson (14-4-1, 9-4-1 UFC) has lost his last two outings, getting outpointed by Darren Till and knocked out by Anthony Pettis. Luque (17-6-1, 10-2 UFC) has won six fights in a row in the UFC, most recently defeating Mike Perry via split decision earlier this month. It was his first UFC win to go to a decision, as he has finished his other nine victories inside the distance.
In other news for UFC 244, Okamoto also reported that Till’s middleweight debut against Kelvin Gastelum will serve as the co-main event of the evening:
More news on UFC 244 in NY: The Darren Till vs. Kelvin Gastelum matchup will officially serve as the co-main event. Main event, of course, Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal for the coveted BMF title.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 10, 2019
In addition to that, Hakeem Dawodu (10-1-1, 3-1 UFC) will meet Julio Arce (16-3, 3-1 UFC) in a featherweight bout on the MSG card. The fight was confirmed by TSN.