UFC News
Jorge Masvidal willing to give Nate Diaz a title shot following UFC 251: "Come fight for this belt now"
Mike Pendleton - July 6, 2020
If all goes according to plan for Jorge Masvidal in his UFC 251 matchup against champion Kamaru Usman, he’s already got his future title challengers in mind. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani about the matchup and possibly winning the UFC welterweight title, Masvidal laid out who he would be most willing to give a title shot to and the first opponent would be a rematch from a fan-favorite fight, Nate Diaz.
Manager: Israel Adesanya has turned Paulo Costa down for UFC 251 and 252, fight now targeted for the fall
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020
Wallid Ismail claims Israel Adesanya has turned Paulo Costa down for UFC 251 and UFC 252. Ever since Paulo Costa beat Yoel Romero at UFC 241 last August, it was expected the Brazilian would fight the winner of Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker. Ultimately, it was “The Last Stylebender” who got the job done against Whittaker, and he and Costa were then targeted to fight in March. Yet, Costa suffered an injury so Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero instead.
Daniel Cormier: Burns' UFC 251 exit allowed Masvidal to "get what he wanted" from UFC
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes Gilbert Burns withdrawing from his UFC 251 fight with Kamaru Usman opened the door for Jorge Masvidal getting what he wants from the UFC. Burns was expected to fight Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 this Saturday on Fight Island. Unfortunately, he was pulled from the contest when he tested positive for COVID-19.
Jorge Masvidal plans on betting big on himself against Kamaru Usman: "I gamble on myself more than anything other in this world"
Adam Martin - July 6, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal is planning on betting on himself as a hefty underdog when he takes on Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Masvidal filled in on super short notice for Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be pulled from the card. After a whirlwind 48 hours this weekend, the UFC was finally able to get the deal done and get Usman vs. Masvidal signed. The fight is now official after Masvidal tested negative for the coronavirus, and he and Usman are now expected to fly to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi on Monday for their big title fight on Saturday.
Photo | UFC adds Jorge Masvidal to official UFC 251 poster
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
The UFC has updated the official UFC 251 poster to reflect the card’s new main event: a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. See it below:
Jorge Masvidal explains why he dislikes "coward" Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Jorge Masvidal is not a fan of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When he entered into a heated and highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.
Dustin Poirier would prefer Khabib rematch over McGregor rematch, even with no title in play
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Dustin Poirier would prefer a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov over a rematch with Conor McGregor, even if there was no UFC title on the line. Poirier fought McGregor in the featherweight division in 2014, losing via first-round knockout. Years later, after establishing himself as one of the greatest lightweights of his era, he battled Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title, losing via third-round submission.
Jorge Masvidal opens up on new deal with the UFC: "We're not there yet"
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
After a highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, Jorge Masvidal is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When his contract dispute with the UFC began to boil, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.
Ben Askren shares hilarious reaction to Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman booking
Natasha Hooper - July 6, 2020
Ben Askren has reacted to the news of his former opponent Jorge Masvidal’s upcoming fight against Kamaru Usman. On Sunday it was announced that the UFC welterweight champion Usman and the ‘BMF’ winner Masvidal will collide at Saturday’s UFC 251 event on Dana White’s Fight Island.
Gilbert Burns issues scathing response to Nate Diaz following UFC 251 headliner diss
Christopher Taylor - July 5, 2020
Gilbert Burns has fired back at Nate Diaz after the ‘Stockton Slugger’ suggested that fans now have a “real fight” in Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman. Diaz was highly critical of Burns receiving a title shot before disaster struck the previously scheduled UFC 251 headliner.
UFC 251 main event official after Jorge Masvidal tests negative for COVID-19
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
The UFC 251 main event between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal is official after ‘Gamebred’ tested negative for COVID-19. The UFC made the official announcement at midnight on Monday morning on its Twitter.
Ali Abdelaziz reacts to news of Jorge Masvidal replacing Gilbert Burns against Kamaru Usman
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz reacted to the news of Jorge Masvidal replacing Gilbert Burns against Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 251. Abdelaziz, one of MMA’s top managers, represents both Burns and Usman, so he had a vested interest in the fight. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be pulled from the fight against Usman. Fortunately, the UFC was able to move quickly and come together to get a deal signed for Usman to fight Masvidal. The two are now set to headline the UFC’s debut card on Fight Island pending the test results of a coronavirus test for Masvidal in Las Vegas.
Betting odds update for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
Months after the original opening betting line was released, we have an update on the betting odds for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal. After Usman defeated Colby Covington via fifth-round TKO in an all-out war at UFC 245, the oddsmakers released a line for Usman against Masvidal. The opening betting odds at the time saw Usman open as a -260 betting favorite, with Masvidal opening as a +200 underdog. Nearly seven months later and with the two finally set to settle their score at UFC 251, now the betting lines have shifted as the fight becomes closer and closer to finally becoming a reality on Fight Island.
Jorge Masvidal sets UFC record in acquiring title shot against Kamaru Usman
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal has set a UFC record by acquiring the title shot at UFC 251 against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. With 48 pro MMA bouts during his 17-year MMA career, Masvidal has set the record for having the most total fights before getting a UFC title shot. When Masvidal fights Usman next Saturday at Fight Island, it will be the 49th time that he steps into the cage. It took him longer than anyone the sport has ever seen to get his shot at a UFC belt, and even though he’s fighting on super short notice, expect him to make the most of his chance.
Dana White confirms Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal, shares hype video with fans
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the reported bout between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Jorge Masvidal is a go. After testing positive for COVID-19, No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns was forced off of UFC 251 late Friday night, leaving Usman temporarily without an opponent. But the UFC was able to work quickly all weekend and in the end, the UFC was able to strike a deal between Usman and Masvidal to headline the UFC 251 card. The bout will take place next Saturday on Fight Island pending negative tests from the fighters and their teams for COVID-19.
Marlon Moraes targets matchups against Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
Top UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes is targeting matchups against former champion Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz for his next fight. Despite coming off of a split decision win over Jose Aldo in his last outing at UFC 245, Moraes is the odd man out in the UFC bantamweight division after the promotion decided to go with Aldo against Petr Yan for the vacant belt at UFC 251. Moraes was supposed to fight Yan at UFC Kazakhstan before the coronavirus pandemic forced the card to be canceled, which left him without an opponent after the UFC gave Yan the Aldo fight.
Gilbert Burns reacts after Jorge Masvidal steps in to face Kamaru Usman at UFC 251
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns reacted after the news that Jorge Masvidal will step in to face Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 next Saturday night. Late Friday night, Burns was pulled from his scheduled bout against Usman on Fight Island after testing positive for COVID-19. Since news of Burns’ positive test broke, the UFC has been working hard to get a deal done between Usman and Masvidal. On Sunday, it was reported by numerous sources including BJPenn.com’s own Cole Shelton that the Usman vs. Masvidal fight is a done deal pending the results of their tests.
Photo | Dan Hooker looks "good as new" one week after war with Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker posted a photo of his face one week after his Fight of the Year war against Dustin Poirier, adding that he looks “good as new.” Hooker and Poirier threw down for 25 minutes of action at UFC on ESPN 12 last Saturday night in one of the best UFC fights of the year, if not all-time. Hooker and Poirier somehow managed to make it the full five rounds despite throwing everything including the kitchen sink at each other. Although both men survived without being finished, both men took a huge amount of damage in the fight, including Poirier showing off a swollen ankle and Hooker exhibiting numerous cuts on his face.