UFC 251 breakdown: Short notice for Jorge Masvidal, but can he deliver again?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the UFC 251 main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal.

Point of interest: Odds and opinions

The oddsmakers and public are siding with the sitting champion, listing Usman -250 and Masvidal +210 as of this writing.

Although money seems to keep coming in on Masvidal as an underdog, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this line inflate back up come fight day.

Masvidal is a favorite of mine who has made me money before as an underdog, so I totally get the love coming his way. That said, there’s an argument to make that Usman may be one of Masvidal’s toughest stylistic matchups regardless of division.

From Usman’s shown gas tank and durability to his proven strength and style, I could easily see this being a long night for Masvidal if he’s not able to stun the champ or hurt him to the body in the first couple of rounds.

Should Usman humor him on the feet, then I think we’ll see Masvidal utilize his underrated leg and calf kicks (something I suspect he had a lot of practice throwing if he was playing Dan Hooker for Poirier). But if Masvidal doesn’t demonstrate the ability to separate and strike off clinch breaks early, then I see Usman banking rounds on the BMF belt holder en route to another dominant win.

Prediction: Usman by decision

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