UFC 251- USMAN vs MASVIDAL (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi)

Main Event:

(C) KAMARU USMAN vs JORGE MASVIDAL (170lb contest)

Main Card:

(C) ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI vs MAX HOLLOWAY (145lb contest)

PETR YAN vs JOSE ALDO (135lb vacant title contest)

JESSICA ANDRADE vs ROSE NAMAJUNAS (115lb contest)

AMANDA RIBAS vs PAIGE VANZANT (125lb contest)

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On July 11th/2020 we witness undoubtedly the biggest fight card of year, where welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and the number 4 ranked welterweight contender and (BMF) champion Jorge Masvidal headline the show. Fans around the world have been anticipating this square off since the feud between the two reached an all-time high after an altercation between the two took place at superbowl radio back in January.

Although the controversy, this fight comes as surprise to fans since Usman's originally scheduled opponent was the number 1 contender Gilbert Burns. It was confirmed July 3rd Burns was forced to pull out of his title fight due to testing positive for Covid-19.

The co-main event is a much anticipated rematch between newly crowned featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former featherweight king, Max Holloway. Holloway having defended his title 3 times prior had met his match when he fell short to the judges unanimous decision (48-47,48-47,50-45) against Volkanovski.

The first of the three title fights will be a fire fight of a contest for the currently vacant bantamweight title. Number 3 ranked contender and undefeated fighter Petr Yan takes on the number 6 contender Jose Aldo in what is only his second appearance in the division. Aldo is coming off a controversial split decision loss to current number 1 contender Marlon Moraes.

The strawweight division will see a rematch between former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and former champion Jessica Andrade. Following Andrade's title loss to current champion of the division Zhang Weili, Zhang has gone on to defend her title against the likes of former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. While the champion takes time to recover this has left a perfect opportunity for Namajunas and Andrade to settle the score after the first bout saw Andrade win the competition via slam K.O

To kick off the main card the women's flyweight division will host a battle between Paige "12Gauge" Vanzant and Amanda Ribas. Both ladies are coming off wins with Vanzant finishing Rachael Ostovich via submission and Ribas scoring a unanimous decision victory over Canada's own Randa Markos. This fight serve's as important clash for the division and with no doubt will be watched closely by the 125lb Queen, Valentina Shevchenko.

With the world being suddenly impacted by the outbreak of the novel Covid-19 virus, the organization of international sports was deemed more and more difficult. However, the UFC president Dana White had pulled through for his team, his fighters and the fans. White announced the UFC would host a mega card at undetermined location which promised to offer a whole new experience, this location was none other than fight island. UFC fighters residing in different countries were now eligible to be scheduled for competition.

While UFC251 will be nothing less of a dream come true to fans all around the globe, it is important to appreciate the level of dedication the UFC Staff and everyone involved have taken to promote a safe and healthy establishment during such times. With that being said, expect a night of none stop back-to-back action in the most packed card of the year. Will we see the fights take place inside an octagon on the beach? If so, do you think the outdoor environment could potentially affect the quality received over broadcast? Pictures have emerged of what seems to be the place of action and it is incredible to say the least.