The Rock, President Trump watch Masvidal win big at UFC 244

President Donald Trump was on his feet as Jorge Masvidal defeated a bloodied Nate Diaz via a TKO before fourth round of UFC 244 main event at Mison Square Garden on Saturday night. Dwayne “ Rock” Johnson wrapped a crudely named, me-for-PPV bdest man in MMA title belt around Masvidal’s waist as nearly 20,000 fans howled in protest of quick finish. Masvidal dominated first three rounds and opened cuts above Diaz’s eyes that turned his face into a crimson mask. assigned doctor stopped fight just before fourth round. Both fighters felt bout should continue.

Johnson walked out holding manufactured Bdest Mor (Censored!) championship belt to a thunderous ovation as his WWE me music hit. Trump, who became first president to attend a UFC card, clapped for Johnson and stayed on his feet for furious early rounds. Masvidal charged at Diaz once initial bell rang before he pulled up and smiled, a d to his UFC-record five-second KO of Ben Askren in his last fight. Trump and his ult sons stood as Masvidal took quick control and pounded on Diaz. Diaz h a gash open over his right eye, his face bloodied as he lay on his back trying to kick away Diaz.

partisan crowd took turns chanting “Diaz!” and “Jorge!” and Rock sat stone-faced, dding at biggest haymakers. Diaz staked his claim as BMF — if B stood for bloodiest — when he flexed for crowd to end second as blood poured down his face. doc wouldn’t let fight go into a fourth and 170-pound bout was over. packed house at Garden stood and h ir phones out, craning ir necks to catch a glimpse of president as he took his cside seat. Trump smiled and waved to fans as AC/DC’s “Back in Black” was blasted over speakers shortly before start of 10 p.m. event. Trump received a mixed reaction, though thing quite as derisive as boos and “Lock him up!” chants he received last week at World Series.

Trump hugged boxing legend, Roberto Duran, as y posed for a picture and sat in same row as UFC President Dana White. Trump is tight with White, a relationship that dates to UFC’s formative years before its rise into a billion-dollar promotion. New Jersey was one of first states that embraced UFC, and White credits cards at Trump Taj Mahal for helping company grow into a heavyweight in sports world. White spoke at Trump’s request at Republican National Convention and y are occasional dining partners. Trump wore a suit and red tie and sat with sons Donald Jr. and Eric, several congressional Republicans and sports personalities just out of range of potential blood splatter. Trump Jr. tweeted White told family, “it was most electrifying entrance he seen in 25 years of doing this.” Trump brors sat cside in August in New Jersey in support of Trump fan Colby Covington.

Taking a break from an impeachment inquiry, Trump could only hope first fight of pay-per-view wasn’t a sign of things to come — a devastating KO from left. He rose from his seat like rest of fans when Kevin Lee kcked out Gregor Gillespie with a left leg kick to he. Gillespie bounced off c and lay motionless, out cold on mat for a minute or so. Trump didn’t react as he watched replay and applauded just like a regular fight fan when Gillespie finally came around and got to his corner. He did t appear to sing along to Darren Till’s “Sweet Caroline” walkout music.

Derrick Lewis won his heavyweight bout and gave Trump a shoutout from inside c, saying “I kw everything ain’t going so good in White House. You gotta turn that ... around in 2020.” Protesters outside MSG chanted “Danger, danger, re’s a Fascist in White House,” over a bullhorn and held signs that re “Trump/Pence Out w!” Once fights started, re were ticeable signs or sustained calls of support or protest for Trump. only jabs were delivered inside fenced-in, 4-foot octagon came from fighters. Lewis was only winner who mentioned Trump, and crowd of nearly 20,000 seemed largely uninterested in him. Rock and president overshowed a wildly entertaining card that h Garden rocking in nearly every bout.

former WWE champ is biggest box office star in Hollywood, with his “Jumanji” follow up out later this year. Johnson also anunced his Seven Bucks Productions company is working on a biopic on retired MMA star Mark Kerr. Kerr won consecutive UFC heavyweight tournaments in company’s infancy and later battled serious diction issues. Johnson is set to star as fighter kwn as “Smashing Machine.”