Tag: UFC 251

UFC 251: Jorge Masvidal’s classy message to Kamaru Usman after their dud of a fight

Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman shared a special moment after their dud of a fight.

The main event of UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi didn’t live up to the short-lived hype at all, as Kamaru Usman retained his welterweight belt with a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal, who took the fight on six-days notice.

Was it an exciting fight? No, not at all. Well, unless you like foot stomps, because Usman used a ton of those throughout the five rounds.

It turned out Masvidal’s flight to the fight, in which he stopped in Italy for some pizza, was more exciting than this thing.

Usman is now 12-0 in his UFC career and there’s a reason why he hasn’t lost a fight yet – because he’s a really damn good fighter. His style is very tough to matchup with and that showed once again against Masvidal, who was unable to do anything with his striking and never came close to landing that one punch that could have given him the belt.

These two fighters traded some bad blood in the days leading up to the fight and also way back at Radio Row during Super Bowl week last winter. But once the fight was over, Masvidal had a classy message for Usman, saying he will get a few more wins and then they can run it back:

That’s what makes Masvidal a real one – he’s not demanding any instant rematch or anything like that. He wants to get some more fights under his belt and then some day when he deserves to do it again he’ll get another shot at the champ.

Maybe Masvidal could benefit from a full camp before taking on Usman again, but even that might not help him out as Usman is a very hard matchup for just about everybody, including the BMF.

But yeah, this fight wasn’t what we hoped it would be when the news broke last week that Masvidal was going to get his title shot.

Maybe next time – if there is a next time for these two – will be a more fun fight to watch. Chances are it won’t be, though, because of what Usman can do.

Masvidal gave us a week of fun times as the hype had a strong and fast build  for this championship fight. He might have lost this one but his reputation is intact and he’s won over a ton of fans in the past year who will pony up some money to watch him fight again.

The BMF tried his best to put on a show after traveling halfway around the world, dropping 20 pounds in a few days, and going against one of the best fighters that we’ve seen in a while.

While this fight was a dud for fans, Masvidal’s next fight should be something that makes everyone forget about this one.

What fight would that be?

Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2.

Book it, UFC.

Twitter reacts to Kamaru Usman’s ‘boring as (expletive)’ title defense over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251

See the top Twitter reactions to Kamaru Usman’s welterweight title defense over Jorge Masvidal in the UFC 251 main event.

[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag]’s second successful title defense was a big one as he beat his nemesis Jorge Masvidal on Saturday in the UFC 251 headliner.

Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) kept his perfect undefeated record in tact and kept ahold of his welterweight belt with a unanimous decision victory over Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) in the main event matchup, which took place at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Usman’s victory over Masvidal at UFC 251.

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Video: Rose Namajunas’ gruesome eye and nose injuries after UFC 251 win over Jessica Andrade

Rose Namajunas didn’t leave UFC 251 unscathed, but she’s still in good spirits after her win over Jessica Andrade.

There is no doubt [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] is tough.

Saturday night, the former UFC strawweight champion won her first fight back since losing the belt in May 2019. Namajunas (9-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) defeated Jessica Andrade, who took her title last year, in a split-decision on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 251 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.

It was a competitive contest that mainly developed on the feet. Both fighters landed many big  shots on each other, but Andrade certainly did the most visible damage despite coming short on the judges’ scorecards.

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Namajunas had plenty of success in the first two rounds, but in the third, Andrade stepped things up and delivered most of the damage of the fight. Andrade busted Namajunas’ nose and eye badly towards the end of round three.

Below is a post-fight photo and video of Namajunas following her win:

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Thug @rosenamajunas

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The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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Twitter reacts to Alexander Volkanovski’s narrow title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 251

See the top Twitter reactions to Alexander Volkanovski’s title defense against Max Holloway in the UFC 251 co-main event.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] successfully defended the featherweight title against [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] on Saturday in the UFC 251 co-main event.

Volkanovski (22-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) extended his sensational winning streak to 19 consecutive fights when he went 2-0 over Holloway (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC) with a somewhat controversial split decision victory in the pay-per-view co-headliner, which took place at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Volkanovski’s victory over Holloway at UFC 251.

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https://twitter.com/CharlesRosaMMA/status/1282168859487805440

UFC 251: Fans couldn’t get enough of a giant security guard who made a UFC champ look tiny

UFC fans had lots of jokes.

UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi has been a stacked card that has lived up to the hype, with a number of great fights after a very rough start to the night, which included some horrific kicks to one poor fighter’s groin.

One of the funniest parts of the night, however, came courtesy of a UFC security guard who was seen walking fighters to the Octagon. Nobody knows who this man is but he stole part of the show tonight, especially while walking out featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski for his fight against former champ Max Holloway.

Volkanovski is 5-foot-6 and this giant security guard was a lot taller:

UFC fans had fun with it:

 

UFC 251 results: Kamaru Usman mostly dominant to outwork Jorge Masvidal

Kamaru Usman played to his strengths against Jorge Masvidal and it led to the retention of his UFC welterweight title.

[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] played to his strengths against [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] and it led to the retention of his UFC welterweight title.

Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) stayed perfect in the UFC and outworked Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) for a unanimous decision. Usman took a pair of 50-45 scores and a 49-46 on the judges’ cards thanks in large part to his control in the final four rounds – though Masvidal defended more takedowns than he fell victim to. In all, Usman landed five takedowns and had more than 10 minutes of control time in the 25-minute fight.

Masvidal took the fight on short notice after original title challenger Gilbert Burns had to withdraw when he tested positive for COVID-19. And Masvidal’s coach at American Top Team, Mike Brown, tested positive, as well, and wasn’t able to corner him.

The welterweight title bout was the UFC 251 main event at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

“‘Gamebred’ is the biggest, baddest dude out there right now, and I had to switch gears and prepare for him on six days’ notice,” Usman said. “I had to make a mental shift. I trained for Gilbert. I had a completely different game plan. … ‘Gamebred’ is tough, and he showed it out there. He took a lot of big elbows, and he didn’t quit.”

Usman wasted no time and put Masvidal on the canvas with relative ease in the opening seconds of the fight. He tried to go to work on top in Masvidal’s guard, but then had to fend off upkick attempts from the challenger. But 90 seconds in, Masivdal got up and out to his feet. Usman worked to take him back down midway through the frame, but Masvidal defended with his back against the cage.

Usman landed a jab with a minute left and backed Masvidal up a little, and he showed a cut above his left eye from an accidental head clash. Masvidal nearly landed a big right hand, then another started to stagger him a bit. When Usman tried to bully his way inside, he was able to land several body shots before the horn.

Usman worked for a takedown straight away in the second, but Masvidal defended two solid attempts. A solid elbow two minutes in was followed up by a right-left combination. When they tied up again, Usman tried shoulder strikes to the chin in the clinch and he kept Masvidal’s back to the cage. Usman worked punches to the body, as well. Masvidal broke free with 30 seconds left and mounted some offense, but not enough to turn the tide. It wasn’t a sexy round for Usman, but it was effective.

Masvidal kicked to the body in the third, but Usman again tied him up and with his back to the fence, Usman continued an annoying strategy he had employed several times in the first two rounds by stomping on Masivdal’s feet. They broke apart and Masvidal kicked again to the body – and again had to contend with Usman looking for a takedown. But once again, Masvidal stayed on his feet.

A mild low blow from Usman gave Masvidal a little time to recover, and they started back in the center with half a round to go. With 1:45 left in the round, Usman landed his second takedown of the fight. Masvidal was back up quickly, but Usman scooped him up and landed a big takedown and went to work in side control with more than a minute left in the round. Masvidal tried to explode out, but ate an elbow. He got to full guard from it, though, which helped from a defensive standpoint.

Usman’s strategy remained the same in the championship rounds: work for the takedowns, and try to stay away from Masvidal’s power when not in control. He landed a pair of solid left hands with less than 90 seconds in the fourth, but Masvidal ate them and stayed upright to defend another takedown attempt in the clinch.

A minute into the final round, Masvidal wasn’t able to stop one final Usman takedown attempt and was stuck on his back. Usman postured up and tried to land elbows in tight, then worked for a choke that wasn’t quite close enough. Masvidal got back to his feet late and landed a couple knees, then went for broke in the final 20 seconds. But the Hail Mary wasn’t there, and Usman had enough to retain his belt.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 251 results include:

Twitter reacts to Petr Yan’s drawn-out TKO of Jose Aldo to claim title at UFC 251

See the top Twitter reactions to Petr Yan’s late TKO victory over Jose Aldo to claim the bantamweight title at UFC 251.

[autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] claimed the vacant bantamweight title on Saturday when he defeated [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] at UFC 251.

After former champ Henry Cejudo retired and vacated the strap, Yan (15-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) came in to introduce a new chapter in the division when he beat Aldo (28-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC) by fifth-round TKO in the featured matchup on the pay-per-view card, which took place at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Yan’s title victory over Aldo at UFC 251.

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https://twitter.com/CharlesRosaMMA/status/1282154448089997312

https://twitter.com/handzofsteelmma/status/1282161203540889600

UFC 251 results: Alexander Volkanovski wins razor-thin decision over Max Holloway

In a decision that will be debated by supporters of both sides, Alexander Volkanovski rallied for a narrow win over Max Holloway.

There’s a combat sports adage that says you’re not really a champion until you make your first title defense.

In that case, [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] is now truly UFC featherweight champion.

The Australian was put under heavy pressure against the competitor from whom he took the title this past December, [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]. And while the decision was highly debatable, Volkanovski (22-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) rallied over the final three rounds to eke out a split decision Saturday night at UFC 251, getting the better end of two  of three 48-47 scores to retain his title.

“He’s tough – he’s a gamer,” Volkanovski said of his foe. “We had 10 rounds in there give credit to him, but this is the fight game.”

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Holloway looked loose and confident over the fight’s opening two rounds. He used the trademark kickboxing mix that brought him to the top of the sport, and never allowed Volkanovski to get his offense untracked.

While Holloway was a clear-cut winner over the fight’s first 10 minutes, Volkanovski noticeably closed the gap in the third, and each of the fight’s final three rounds were close. Volkanovski threw leg kicks throughout the fight, and they began slowing Holloway down by the fight’s halfway mark.

Holloway still remained the more active fighter, but Volkanovski’s punches were hammers, the results of which Holloway wore on his face. Volkanovski upped his wrestling game over the final 15 minutes, with 50-50 results on his takedowns. But he landed his last one in the closing seconds, and that may have been what sealed the deal in a fight that could have gone either way.

The champ has now won 19 consecutive fights, while Holloway has dropped three of his past four.

The featherweight title bout was the UFC 251 co-main event at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 251 results include:

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UFC 251 results: Petr Yan pounds out Jose Aldo to win bantamweight belt

Jose Aldo had moments when it looked like he might become a two-division champ, but Petr Yan may have brought about a changing of the guard.

Jose Aldo had moments when it looked like he might become a two-division UFC champion. But in the end, Petr Yan may have brought about a changing of the guard in the lighter weight classes.

Yan (15-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) became the UFC’s new bantamweight champion with a fifth-round TKO of former featherweight champ Aldo (28-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC). The stoppage came at the xxx mark of the final frame.

Yan pounded out Aldo to win the belt vacated by Henry Cejudo earlier this year and denied Aldo a chance to win a UFC title in a second weight class. The fight was relatively close for the first three rounds before the 27-year-old Yan turned it on and poured it on in the fourth and fifth.

The vacant bantamweight title bout was part of the main card at UFC 251 at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

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“I expected it to be a hard fight, but then he kicked my leg and it forced me to change my stance,” Yan said through a translator on the broadcast after the fight. “In the beginning, we wanted to put pressure on him, make him tired, and after the third round, put the pressure on. That’s exactly what happened.”

Both fighters looked patient inside the first 90 seconds, but Yan landed a heavy right hand that wobbled Aldo for a moment, but didn’t take him off his feet. Seconds later, though, Aldo threw a low kick that swept Yan right to the canvas. He bounced up quickly, but Aldo went to the body to keep his opponent honest.

Aldo continued to work kicks to the body, but with 50 seconds left Yan again landed a big right hand. Aldo dropped for a takedown attempt, and when Yan stuffed it, Aldo went to his back and welcomed Yan to come into his guard. But Yan landed heavy punches from up top and seemed to hurt Aldo down the stretch. While Aldo covered up, Yan tried to finish, but Aldo made it to the horn.

Yan had no issue staying right in the pocket in the second round and was unafraid to throw bombs the Brazilian’s way. Aldo kept working kicks to Yan’s legs and tried to pop shots to the body. Yan wanted to land with big punches more often than not.

In the third, Aldo landed solidly to the body, then seemed to hurt Yan up top. They briefly clinched, and Aldo continued to the body in close. But Yan pushed away and backed Aldo up with another power punch. Midway through the frame, with Yan covering up, Aldo landed a knee up the middle just to continue to show some striking variances. Both worked to the body, but down the stretch in the middle round, Aldo was able to duck away from several Yan punches. Still, though, they traded in close and Yan added an elbow to the mix for good measure.

The fight remained close in the fourth, though it appeared Aldo started to slow down just a little bit. Yan continued to walk Aldo down, and late in the fourth Yan landed several big punches that had Aldo covering up on the fence. Yan pulled Aldo away, then swept his foot to get a perfect takedown. Yan got on top and worked punches while Aldo covered up on his back. He landed several big ones ahead of the horn.

Just 10 seconds into the final round, Yan landed a big punch that took Aldo off his feet. On the canvas, he worked quickly and had Aldo covering up. Yan nearly jumped to mount, but Aldo kept him in half guard. But Yan landed heavy elbows and punches despite Aldo’s attempts at defense. Yan pounded away at Aldo with hammerfists and elbows until referee Leon Roberts finally stepped in with Aldo bleeding all over the canvas.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 251 results include:

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