Nate Diaz controversially pulled out of UFC 244 bout with Masvidal after horror cut above eye as fans chant ‘bulls***’

NATE DIAZ suffered a horror cut against Jorge Masvidal and was controversially pulled out of the UFC 244 main event.

After a thrilling, back-and-forth clash between two of MMA’s veteran stars, a battered Diaz was told by doctors his eye was too badly busted up to continue.

With both the New York main-eventers left in disgust, and cries of "bulls***" ringing out from the stands, Masvidal said: “I don't like to leave the win like this.

“Don't be booing me. We gave you three good rounds.

“We're going to run it back. It's going to happen again.

“Nate's a f***ing dog. I'm not the f***ing doctor, so don't go booing me.”

As the fight began, Masvidal faked his historic knee that left Ben Askren KO’d in five seconds, and gave Diaz a smirk.

But the Stockton hero was not interested in fooling around and went straight after his fellow UFC “gangster”.

Masvidal drew first blood, literally, busting Diaz up landing a ferocious combination finishing with a devastating head kick.

The kick sent black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu Diaz tumbling to the deck, but Masvidal was all to aware of his opponent’s dangerous ground game.

Gambred reigned down some heavy hooks as he was goaded into taking the fight to the mat, but 47-fight veteran Masvidal was too wise not to stay on his feet.

As the action was stood up, Diaz roared back with a huge combination of slashing hooks forcing a late fightback in the round.

At the start of the second, both expert strikers traded blow-for-blow with neither giving an inch of space.

But Diaz was stunned with a massive right hook and after another sickening kick to the body, Conor McGregor’s rival was again on the seat of his pants - but he somehow survived.

Another left hook over the top again wobbled Diaz and Masvidal closed the gap and let his hands go on the inside, but his 34-year-old rival remained on his feet.

At the start of the third Diaz came out punching and backed his man up with sharp boxing.

Masvidal again targeted the body but was met with a stinging combination in response - as Madison Square Garden was treated to a classic dog fight - everything they were promised.

A heavy right hook again left a bloodied Diaz scrambling on the floor but he managed to control the action from the ground, giving his opponent a signature Stockton Slap.

Having taken one to the chops, Masvidal replied in rage rushing a floored Diaz with brutal ground and pound leaving his man barely able to see out his eye.

As both men prepared for a fourth round of war, the cageside doctor took a look and Diaz's bloodied and cut eye.

After several moments on uncertainty, referee Dan Miragliotta reluctantly waved the bout off after instructions from officials.

It meant WWE icon The Rock crowned Masvidal with “Baddest Mother F***er” belt via contentious TKO.

Despite losing the battle, Diaz insisted the war is not over as he demanded a rematch.

He said: “I was bummed, because I had a cut.

“I was just ready to get started.

“I had a little bit of issues. I'm coming back for your a** mother f***er.”