UFC 261: Usman vs Masvidal Preview, Odds, Prediction

UFC 261 features one magnificent headliner – Usman vs. Masvidal. The two fighters met at the UFC 251 in July 2020, but that match wasn’t taken seriously. Why? The answer is simple, Masvidal took that one on short notice, having just six days to prepare, and his loss was expected. However, Kamaru didn’t manage to finish Gamebred, who reached the end of the fight on his feet. After the battle, the debate emerged whether Masvidal would perform better if he had a training camp before the match. After a few months of trash-talking between these two fantastic welterweights, the UFC decided to organize the rematch and end all the talks.

Preview

Usman (-400) (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) comes in as a strong favorite in Saturday’s event. The Nigerian Nightmare is a champion who rules his division pretty confidently, and already has three successful title defenses.

The first was the epic battle against Colby Covington. The second against Masvidal and the latest vs. Gilbert Burns, whom he defeated via TKO in the third round. The Brazilian started the bout better, finding an edge and rocking the champ, but he didn’t know how to behave after that. But as soon as Kamaru stabilized, he began trashing the challenger, who didn’t have any chances to avoid his defeat.

Once Usman starts pushing forward, there is no stop, and the way he constantly pressures the opponent is ridiculous. He will eat a few punches, but be sure that afterward comes a hard punishment. On top of everything, the cardio this man has is incredible, and when most of the fighters want to enter a clinch and have some rest, that is when the champion starts doing damage with his foot stomps and dirty boxing.

Masvidal (+320) (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) handled the first match well, having in mind that he had to cut 20 pounds and make a game plan in just 6 days. He never managed to outpower or outwrestle Kamaru, but he did slow down the champion, not allowing him to post a stoppage victory.

We know that Gamebred is a tough fighter, who can also eat a few punches, but will he be able to stop Kamaru’s wrestling? Well, we will see that in this match. Masvidal will have enough time to balance his weight, making it optimal, and preferably enter this match with a few pounds more than Kamaru.

We don’t have to present Masvidal too much. He has wins over Nate Diaz, Ben Askren, Darren Till, Michale Chiesa, Cowboys Cerrone. Also, there are defeats, some pretty controversial, that saw a split decision against Benson Henderson, Lorenz Larkin, Damian Maia etc.

Prediction

Masvidal will be bigger and physically better than in the first match, but we don’t believe that he has chances of defeating Kamaru. Gamebred’s streak of finishing the fight on his feet will be extended, but the title is going to stay with Usman. The Nigerian Nightmare is simply unstoppable right now, and is arguably the best individual in the entire organization. Regardless of the opponent, Usman will do his thing and collect points, securing himself a unanimous decision.