UFC 261 Usman Vs Masvidal 2
Well, where do we even start?! Before a punch or a kick was even thrown this sounded like an awesome card, featuring 3 title fights. But the reality turned out to take things to another level altogether. This was always going to be a significant evening of fights as the promotion returned to action infront of a full live audience in Florida, the first in the states since the Coronvirus outbreak and subsequent restrictions
Let us start with Uriah Hall up against Chris Weidman – this looked like being another amazing fight, but was dramatically cut short when Weidman suffered a horrific leg break upon throwing a kick to his opponent’s shin – in the first contact of the fight. Hall was classy in defeat and Weidman has now come through his surgery and will be rehabbing his way to a return to the Octagon as soon as is humanly possible. We wish him well
So, to the THREE main events!!
Womens Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko put her belt on the line against number 1 contender Jessica Andrade. Shevchenko looked commanding from start to finish, showing some real changes in approach that almost straight away had Andrade struggling to keep up. The first round would have gone to the champion anyway, but she came out into the second round looking determined to get the job done. And she did, with the ref calling a half to the action to give Valentina Shevchenko yet another victory. Many ask – what next for her, just who can beat her?
Next up was Womens Strawweight Champ Zhang Weili up against fan favourite Rose Namajunas. Both fighters came out on the attack throwing kicks and jabs in the first minute. Namajunas then unleashed a left high kick that caught Zhang, sending her crumpling to the canvas. Rose landed a couple more punches that meant the referee had seen enough and waved the fight off. Zhang initially protested that the fight had been stopped, but quickly accepted the decision. So once again, Rose Namajunas is champion of the world and as she said in her post fight interview “I am the best”. Namajunas came into the fight as a significant underdog, so to take the victory in such emphatic fashion is all the more impressive. Rose will be looking to hold onto her title longer than she did when she was last the champion, but she showed improvement and this victory will do wonders for her mind-set too.
So after those stellar performances, we moved to the Welterweight Championship match up of Kamaru Usman defending his title against Jorge Masvidal, in their rematch. First round was competitive with both fighters getting in some good shots, but with Usman seeming to get the upper-hand. Into the second round and Masvidal throws some low kicks and Usman lands a jab – which is followed by a heavy right cross that sends Masvidal to the canvas. Usman follows up with some hammer-fists and the referee stops the fight. This successful defence for Usman will have contenders lining up, and it will be an almighty challenge for whoever he faces next – he seems to be getting better. He still potentially has many years of competition within him and it is almost a scary thought to see how much better he can get.
The non stop action continues next weekend, when we return to Las Vegas for a card topped by Dominick Reyes and Jiri Prochazka at light heavyweight
