UFC 251 has a new main occasion. After clearing numerous logistical obstacles over the weekend, Jorge Masvidal will step in on less than a weeks notice to face welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning (Saturday night stateside).
Masvidal will get the centerpiece slot lots of thought he deserved in the very first place. With 48 profession fights under his belt, Masvidal would function as the fighter with the most MMA looks prior to receiving his very first title shot..
Soon after the news of the contract broke, UFC president Dana White posted a hype video to Twitter which relatively confirmed that he had the ability to secure the brand-new blockbuster centerpiece..
Masvidal (35-13) invested his July 4th holiday undergoing the first of what would be several coronavirus tests while working out the battle, per photos released on social networks by his manager, Malki Kawa. The 35-year-old brawler rose from journeyman status in 2019 with a trio of interruption success which earned him global fame and Fighter of the Year honors..
Among the significant obstacles dealing with the proposed fight are the logistics of how the fighters would safely get here in the United Arab Emirates in the middle of quarantine procedures in such a last-minute circumstance. Usman (16-1) did not board a chartered UFC flight which brought fighters, trainers, media and advertising workers upon hearing the news of Burns (19-3) pulling out..
In case the battle does not take place, the initial co-main occasion of featherweight champion Alexaner Volkanovski taking on former titleholder Max Holloway in a rematch would take leading billing. The card also consists of a vacant bantamweight title bout in between Petr Yan and previous featherweight king Jose Aldo..
Usman-Masvidal was the battle that at first made one of the most sense for the department and the one fans most chosen. It likewise uses a potential significant contrast in styles with the explosive striking of Masvidal against the suffocating fumbling of Usman.
Masvidal initially claimed he was offered half of what he made last November in beating Nate Diaz and turned the fight down. Reports surfaced that, following his social networks outburst, he was then provided the Usman battle again at the complete purse he made against Diaz and turned it down a 2nd time..
UFC 251 has a brand-new primary occasion. After clearing numerous logistical difficulties over the weekend, Jorge Masvidal will step in on less than a weeks notification to face welterweight champ Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning (Saturday night stateside). Both sides concurred to terms to the offer on Sunday and were flown to Las Vegas for their initial COVID-19 test. Both passed and are anticipated to board private jets to Yas Island on Monday, according to Ariel Helwani.
When leading competitor Gilbert Burns pulled out of a shot at Usmans title after evaluating favorable for COVID-19, the inaugural Fight Island card saw its original headliner fall apart Saturday. Masvidal, the ritualistic BMF champion, was the challenger UFC initially targeted for Usman prior to negotiations went sideways and Masvidal started a public demonstration over fighter pay..
The red-hot Burns was able to jump Leon Edwards in the rankings and accepted the chance thanks, in large part, to his six-fight win streak and current triumphes over Demian Maia and former champion Tyron Woodley. Burns also received criticism openly from Masvidal and Diaz, who accused him of just getting the battle since he wanted to take brief money..
