Usman vs Masvidal all set for UFC 251
Following the withdrawal of challenger Gilbert Burns from the UFC 251 main event vs Kamaru Usman due to Coronavirus, the UFC announced on Sunday night that Jorge Masvidal will replace Burns in Abu Dhabi.
Masvidal(35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) who has been warring with Usman all year and was initially expected to be the opponent for Usman before a breakdown in negotiations, agreed to take on the fight with six days notice and took a Covid-19 test in order to get the all clear. Upon passing the Covid-19 test on Sunday evening, the UFC confirmed and announced the new championship fight taking place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Per ESPN, Masvidal will be flying on a private flight arranged by his management team while Usman will be flying on a chartered flight booked by the UFC, with both fighters leaving the United States on Monday from Las Vegas.
Upon arriving in Abu Dhabi, both fighters will be tested immediately and then enter a mandatory 48 hour quarantine. If the tests taken upon arrival turn up negative, then the fight will officially be a go with no hurdles left to jump.
UFC president Dana White noted as much during an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Sunday night. “Them and everyone around them has to test negative for the coronavirus, and then we get on a plane, and we fly to Abu Dhabi, and we have to continue to test negative for the coronavirus for the fight to happen,”
Usman expressed his thoughts on the new fight with a post on instagram.
