Get up to date on the main event of UFC 261 between Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal.
The main event of UFC 261 will feature a rematch for the welterweight title as current champion Kamaru Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) will attempt to defend his belt against Jorge Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 13-7 UFC). UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 airs live from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida this Saturday, April 24th. The main card will start with a fight time of 10:00 p.m. ET / 7.00 p.m. PT, with the ESPN+ prelims beginning at 8:00 p.m. and the early prelims kicking off at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
How do these two stack up?
Usman: 33 years old | 6’0” | 76” reach
Masvidal: 35 years old | 5’11” | 74” reach
How did these two get here?
Usman: W – Gilbert Burns (TKO) | W – Jorge Masvidal (DEC) | W – Colby Covington (TKO)
Masvidal: L – Kamaru Usman (DEC) | W – Nate Diaz (DEC) | W – Ben Askren (KO)
What have these two done recently?
Since winning season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter, it was clear Kamaru Usman was going to be a top contender at welterweight. Usman has gone on to surpass expectations and wipe out elite fighters at 170-pounds such as Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns during his title reign. Although Usman won a one-sided unanimous decision in his first outing with Masvidal last July, the rematch gives Usman the chance to silence any excuse of whether the short notice call-up played a factor for Masvidal at UFC 251. Usman also stated this week that he may walk away from the sport after this fight.
In the past, Jorge Masvidal has expressed his determination to get his hands on a UFC title. He may have fallen short last July but this weekend gives Masvidal another shot at UFC gold with a full training camp behind him. 2019 was a great year for Masvidal in which he refers to as a ‘resurrection’, picking up wins against Nate Diaz, Ben Askren and Darren Till. Whilst 2020 was not the year Masvidal was hoping for, the rematch with Usman this weekend is a chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Why should you care?
You would think a full training camp for Masvidal means this rematch should be a lot closer than the first fight.