Categories: Sport

Nigeria Usman Knocks Out Masvidal To Retain UFC Welterweight Title

Usman put a stamp on his rivalry with Masvidal on Saturday night, dropping him with a crushing right hand and following up on the ground for a knockout victory at 1 minute, 2 seconds of the second round in the main event of UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida.

With the victory, Usman defended his 170-pound title. It was the first time the famously durable Masvidal had been finished by KO/TKO since 2008.
“Jacksonville, Florida — y’all said you wanted violence?” Usman said in his postfight interview. “You’re welcome.”

Usman ranked No. 2 in the world on its best pound-for-pound MMA fighters list coming in. At welterweight, ESPN has Usman at No. 1 and Masvidal at No. 7. Now, Usman has to be considered one of the best in the world currently, and the questions will begin about where he stands on the all-time list.

With my fundamentals, I am the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet right now,” Usman said.
The bout took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, the first UFC event with a capacity crowd since the COVID-19 pandemic. A crowd of 15,269 was in attendance, according to the UFC.

At UFC 251 last year, Usman (19-1) beat Masvidal via unanimous decision in fairly one-sided fashion. But Masvidal came into that fight on just six days’ notice after Usman’s initially scheduled opponent, Gilbert Burns, tested positive for coronavirus. Usman, 33, now has his fourth straight title defense and his 14th straight UFC victory.

Usman has the second-longest winning streak in UFC history. Only Anderson Silva has more consecutive wins in UFC history (16).

You elevated me,” Usman said of Masvidal. “You made me get into the workshop. I told everybody I’m still getting better. The sky is the limit for me as long as I’m doing this.

Egwu Emmanuel

Egwu covers tourism and entertainment

Recent Posts

Soaring rice prices threaten Christmas celebrations for Nigerian families

Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…

1 day ago

Panic as Stage collapses during Odumodublvck’s performance at Lagos concert

Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…

1 day ago

2025 Budget: FG allocates ₦6.36bn for renovation of Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…

1 day ago

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd December 2024

The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…

1 day ago

NNPC debunks shutdown rumors, confirms fuel loading at Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…

1 day ago

‘We have to find a way’ – Guardiola laments after defeat to Aston Villa

Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…

1 day ago