Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
We’re still waiting for the really official announcement of Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251, but for now this three minute teaser from the UFC president will have to do.
It may not be official, but it’s pretty official.
UFC president Dana White has just released a new promo video for the new UFC 251 main event between welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and BMF belt holder Jorge Masvidal. The three minute hype video has everything your typical UFC commercial for a PPV would have … except the title card at the end. We imagine that’s because the UFC doesn’t want to officially confirm the fight until both fighters have tested negative for Coronavirus and are on a plane to Abu Dhabi, the location of Fight Island.
But hey, until then, lets watch this video and get hyped!
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 5, 2020
All this came together over the past two days following Gilbert Burns’ removal from UFC 251 due to a positive COVID-19 test. On Saturday morning, Jorge Masvidal’s management made it clear that Masvidal was ‘absolutely willing’ to step in and face Usman on a week’s notice. From there, video showing Masvidal negotiating with the UFC on the phone and then getting his first Coronavirus test popped up on the internet. ESPN confirmed the fight had come together provided no one tested positive.
Negotiations for Usman vs. Masvidal are done, per sources. All sides agreed to terms. Usman is en route to LV; Masvidal landed earlier. Once at the hotel, they’ll have to take a COVID test and then quarantine while awaiting results. If negative, they’ll fly to AD likely tomorrow.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 5, 2020
After @GamebredFighter landed in Las Vegas, he had to just “stretch the legs, you know?”
(via @Abraham_kawa) pic.twitter.com/KJaaxjU4pP
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 5, 2020
Now it’s Sunday and negotiations are finished and agreed to. Both fighters are in Las Vegas getting tested again. Testing! Testing! Testing! Once Masvidal and Usman test negative (please dear God test negative), they’ll be put on a private jet to Abu Dhabi, where we can finally breath and start to believe this thing is going down. Once it’s wheels up, then you can expect the UFC to officially announce the fight is a go.
What say you, Maniacs? Waiting until the test results are in or are you getting excited already?