Masvidal set to replace Burns as Usman’s UFC 251 opponent

By Adam Hill

Las Vegas Review-Journal

4 years ago

Jorge Masvidal, right, shown in November, agreed to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usma ... — Jorge Masvidal, right, shown in November, agreed to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on Saturday in UFC 251. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Jorge Masvidal, top/right, connects with a flying knee knocking out Ben Askre in the first round during their welterweight bout at UFC 239 on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The five second knockout is the fastest in UFC history. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Jorge Masvidal’s career resurgence had him at the top of most UFC fighter of the year lists in 2019.

He now has a chance to become world champion in 2020.

The popular brawler has agreed to step in on short notice to face welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 251 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, the first of four scheduled events on the organization’s so-called “Fight Island.”

Both fighters still must clear additional hurdles, mainly passing coronavirus tests, in order to finalize the bout. They are both in Las Vegas awaiting results Sunday night.

Masvidal entered negotiations with the UFC this weekend when Gilbert Burns tested positive for coronavirus and was removed from the bout against Usman.

Masvidal was believed to be the first choice for the title bout, but Burns took the opportunity when Masvidal couldn’t come to terms with UFC officials for what is expected to the biggest payday of his 17-year career.

The 35-year-old expressed his displeasure with the organization’s pay structure in a series of postings on social media last month. Circumstances changed with Burns falling off the card Friday.

Usman and Masvidal have been building toward a potential fight for months, including a shouting match on radio row at the Super Bowl.

Masvidal’s popularity skyrocketed in 2019 when he scored a win over Darren Till, knocked out Ben Askren with a flying knee off the opening bell and then beat Nate Diaz for the special “BMF” title.

Usman has won 15 straight fights, including all 11 since joining the UFC. He won the belt with a unanimous-decision win over Tyron Woodley in March 2019. He defended it once with a decision victory over Colby Covington in December.

UFC 251 includes two other title fights as Alex Volkanovski defends the featherweight belt against former champ Max Holloway and Petr Yan takes on Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight belt.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.

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