Kamaru Usman Vs Jorge Masvidal to headline UFC 251
Author: Abdul-Ahad Patel | Monday 6th July 2020
With the MMA world in a complete standstill after welterweight contender Gilbert Burns testing positive for COVID-19, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman awaited his dance partner for UFC 251 next weekend at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Multiple rumours floated around the potential rematch with former interim champion Colby Covington and the current ‘BMF’ champion Jorge Masvidal.
The long-anticipated fight between the two was set to happen after Masvidal beat Nate Diaz back in November 2019 at UFC 244 in Madison Square Garden. Friction started between Masvidal and the UFC when negotiations could not be met, subsequently Gilbert Burns was offered a title shot after beating former champion, Tyron Woodley.
Unfortunately, Friday night the news broke out Burns tested positive for COVID-19 pulling him out of UFC 244. On Saturday afternoon, welterweight champion Usman tweeted, “Might be time for the pig to squeal.”
Might be time for the Pig to squeal 😏😏
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) July 4, 2020
ESPN shortly posted on Instagram a picture of Masvidal on the phone, simply captioned 'negotiating'
View this post on InstagramJorge Masvidal is “negotiating” and getting tested for COVID-19 🤔 (via @malkikawa)
With the bad blood brewing between the two and a stacked card lined up for UFC 251 on Fight Island, we can only hope that all parties stay COVID-19 free.
View this post on Instagram
When is UFC 251?
The pay-per-view will be on Saturday, July 11.
- Early prelims - 11pm-1am UK time / 6-8 pm ET
- Prelims - 1-3am UK time / 8-10 pm ET
- Main card - From 3am UK time / From 10pm ET
What TV channel is UFC 251 on?
BT Sport 1
What is the UFC 251 fight card?
The main card follows:
Usman (C) Vs Masvidal
Volkanovski (C) Vs Holloway
Yan Vs Aldo (Vacant Bantamweight Title)
Namajunas Vs Andrade 2
VanZant Vs Ribas
