After a 12-month break, UFC President Dana White has confirmed UFC 261 with a packed fight card and a full house at VyStar Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
UFC 261 will feature three exciting title fights, including Usman vs. Masvidal 2, Valentina Shevchenko defending her flyweight title against Jessica Andrade, and Zhang Weili defending her strawweight title against a dangerous Rose Namajunas, according to White.
In the main event, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman defends his championship for the fourth time, this time against Jorge Masvidal 2. This exciting event attracts punters and sports enthusiasts from offshore betting sites as it also indicates that the UFC 261 is an event many have been waiting for and are looking forward to. Last July, Usman won a unanimous decision over Masvidal, but Masvidal accepted the fight on six days’ notice and had to lose about 20 pounds before flying halfway around the world to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Usman claims Masvidal just agreed to fight because he had a built-in excuse, and the champion wants to place an exclamation point on his dominance over Masvidal, who thinks going the distance with Usman despite the circumstances bodes well for his chances in a rematch. Masvidal is the underdog but not everything is expected to go all smooth for his challenger.
Masvidal will depend on a rabidly loyal home crowd in Florida to exact sweet revenge for his defeat on Fight Island. Usman, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since February, when he successfully defended his title against a tenacious Gilbert Burns in his 13th consecutive victory at 170 pounds, tying for the most wins in the division’s history.
Over the last few years, the Florida boxer has made a name for himself in the welterweight division, dispatching some of the best in the industry with finesse.
Usman, on the other hand, is on a 17-fight winning streak heading into his rematch with Masvidal. The Nigerian native has repeatedly shown why he is at the top of the welterweight division, flooring every one who comes on his way.
In comparison to the first bout, the rematch between the two looks to be a blockbuster event with plenty of hype. Masvidal will have a full camp and plenty of time to prepare for the rematch, while Usman will be fresh off the back of the Gilbert defense.
Is this Jorge Masvidal’s last shot at the title?
Jorge Masvidal doesn’t see his UFC 261 main event as his last chance at UFC top ranks, but that’s only because he can’t bear the thought of losing to champion Kamaru Usman.
“I feel like every fight, I have to win, but no, I don’t feel like [this is his last title opportunity] at all. I just feel like I’m going to win this fight, and I’m going to continue to do bigger and better things before I close the chapter on this MMA thing.” Said Masvidal.
Jorge Masvidal’s greatest advantage in his rematch with Kamaru Usman is that he didn’t have to lose 20 pounds after accepting the fight on short notice.
Masvidal had a longer camp, which meant he had less weight to lose and didn’t have to travel halfway around the world.
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