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Former UFC title challengers, ranked contenders and rising prospects break down the UFC 251 main event scrap between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal, and co-headliner between Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
Mixed martial arts fighters from UFC, Bellator, PFL and beyond break down Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal and Alex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2 in SBN MMA’s latest edition of Fighters Pick Fights. Former title challengers Jon Fitch, Felicia Spencer and John Dodson offter their analysis, as well as ranked fighters like Vicente Luque, Josh Emmett, Beneil Dariush and Cody Stamann.
You can watch the full video above and read excerpts below:
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Vicente Luque
I think it’s more of a wrestler vs. striker. I think Kamaru puts Masvidal down and is going to dominate him for five rounds. It’s a dangerous fight. You saw Ben Askren got [knocked] out in seconds. But I think Kamaru is going to get in there and dominate.
Josh Emmett
That will just be like wrestler vs. striker. If Usman takes Masvidal down and can hold him there and grind him out, I can see Usman pulling off a decision. Jorge is a fighter. He definitely will have the advantage on the feet. If he wins, I see him knocking out or TKOing Usman.
Felicia Spencer
I’d still pick Usman. Jorge is pretty impressive lately but I think Usman has a good gameplan for that.
Beneil Dariush
This is a great fight. I think Jorge is very good. I think he is very, very good. I also think Usman is very good. I have Usman winning this fight but I have it by decision. I don’t see either fighter finishing the other. I think it’s going to be an awesome battle. I thought the fight with Colby was an awesome fight. It’ll be something like that but with a little more wrestling.
John Dodson
I can’t even pick which one. It’s going to be beautiful destruction. Whoever wins is going to be whoever wins. It’s what I want to see more than anything else. Jorge Masvidal is an interesting fighter with how he can move around and tag people with his boxing skills. Kamaru Usman has had phenomenal boxing from start to finish and it’s just getting better.
Drakkar Klose
Usman. He is going to wrestle f—k Jorge the whole time.
Alex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2:
Jon Fitch
The fans. We’re the winners. We win. Holloway is such a tough dude, he’s so good, but I think it’s Volkanovski’s time. I think it’s his time to reign. He’s a stud.
Khama Worthy
I’m going with Max Holloway. I think he’s caught up to the mistakes he made and I think he beats Alexander.
Cody Stamann
Volkanovski. He already beat Max once. It’s really hard to beat a guy that has already beat you. I think Volkanovski is going to be a better version of his last fight.
Sarah Kaufman
Such a good fight. There first fight was really great. If I remember correctly it was pretty close, but Volkanovski got the decision. I really enjoy how Max is so fluid and can do so many variables when it comes to his striking and wrestling… I don’t know that it warranted an immediate rematch. Volkanovski looked really good. In someways I’m surprised because that division is so strong. I think Volkanovski will keep the belt.
Max Griffin
It’s a weird matchup. It was a weird match-up the first time. Stylistically with Volkanovski’s pace and wrestling and pressure. I think it ended up being too much in the endy — body type-wise and stylistically. I think the same stuff will happen again unless Max can stop him. I think it’s just going to happen again. Stylistically it’s an interesting match-up every time.
Brendan Allen
Ooh that one is tough. I’m going to go with Max on that one. Let’s go with Holloway.
Timestamps are below for the video above:
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal:
0:06 – Vicente Luque
0:31 – Josh Emmett
1:01 – Felicia Spencer
1:17 – Beneil Dariush
1:54 – John Dodson
2:28 – Drakkar Klose
2:34 – Scott Holtzman
2:55 – Sam Alvey
3:13 – Max Griffin
3:34 – Justin Tafa
4:00 – Kyle StewartAlex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2:
4:25 – Jon Fitch
4:46 – Khama Worthy
5:00 – Sarah Kaufman
5:56 – Josh Emmett
6:31 – Cody Stamann
6:46 – Max Griffin
7:22 – Brendan Allen
7:32 – Kyle Nelson
(Author’s Note: Some quotes have been condensed for concision and clarity.)