UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal Preview

 

This weekend, we would be getting some premium fighting action as Welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman takes on Jorge Masvidal, which would be the main card for the night at UFC Fight Island facility in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, July 11.

Usman would have his welterweight championship belt on the line. This would be his second title defense since winning the belt since March last year.

The fight card initially featured Gilbert Burns as the title contender before he tested positive for the coronavirus. He then had to pull out, and the general belief was the fight was going to be cancelled until Masvidal stepped up to fill the position. This is similar to what happened at UFC 249 when Justin Gaethje became the opponent after Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out of the event.

The fight is something to look forward to as both fighters are skilled and tough. Usman vs. Masvidal is a fixture many people have wanted for a while now. There had been plans to make it happen in the past that did not come to light until now when Masvidal had to pass a coronavirus test to replace Burns.

Usman has not lost his last 11 matches in the UFC, and he shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. His last fight was at UFC 245, last year December where he knocked out Colby Covington in the fifth round. Since then, Usman, a tough wrestler, has been bidding his time, like a tiger waiting patiently for its next meal. But his current opponent is no easy prey.

Masvidal, who is ranked number 3 in the Welterweight division, has won his last five matches by knockout. He also holds the record for the fastest knockout victory in the UFC when he sent Ben Askren to the floor in just 5 seconds back in 2019. Although he may not be able to repeat a similar feat this time around, he has everything it takes to fight Usman.

While Masvidal has no title, he holds the unofficial BMF title, and Usman is clamouring that he puts it on the line so he can “squash it all.”

UFC 251 would be available for pay-per-view on ESPN.

 

 

Written by: Leon Osamor