Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Here’s the new lineup for UFC 251, featuring a brand new main event.
Barring a positive COVID-19 test, there will still be three title fights on tap for UFC 251.
Gilbert Burns’ positive COVID-19 test has paved the way for Jorge Masvidal to take on Kamaru Usman for Usman’s welterweight title on less than a week’s notice. The co-main event is a men’s featherweight title rematch between Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway, while Petr Yan and Jose Aldo compete for the vacant men’s bantamweight crown.
Rounding out the main card is a rematch between former champs Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade, while Paige VanZant opens up the PPV as a heavy underdog against Amanda Ribas. Lest we forget the featured prelim marks the debut of former RIZIN champion Jiri Prochazka against former light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir.
Here is the full lineup for UFC 251 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The event is taking place July 12th locally, but July 11th for North American audiences.
Main Card (10 PM ET, ESPN+ PPV)
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Alex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo
Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
Preliminary Card (8 PM ET, ESPN)
Jiri Prochazka vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Muslim Salikhov vs. Elizeu Zaleski
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry
Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov
Preliminary Card (6 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+/Fight Pass)
Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo
Davey Grant vs. Martin Day
Marcin Tybura vs. Maxim Grishin