Kamaru Usman kicks Jorge Masvidal in their UFC welterweight championship fight during UFC 251 (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman did not touch gloves ahead of their title fight
One of the biggest rivalries in the UFC might have come to an end as Kamaru Usman defeated Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251.
The pair had been at loggerheads for a few months and fate saw them meet at UFC Fight Island. Gilbert Burns tested positive for Covid-19 and Masvidal was his replacement.
Usman and Masvidal had shared a lot of unpleasant comments on one another prior to this clash. They didn’t even touch gloves before the clash and there was a lot of trash-talking in between.
However, Usman scouted his opponent well and nullified Masvidal in the fight. The match went to five rounds but Usman did more than enough to get the win.
As soon as the final horn rang, the pair actually shook hands and some pleasantries were shared.
It certainly was incredible to see the respect between the two after such a battle took place over months. While Usman was being handed the title, Masvidal could be seen applauding his rival too.
Both stars had great words for their rivals while Masvidal was keen on a rematch with a full training camp under his belt.
However, one UFC legend didn’t think Masvidal could get the better of Usman.
Daniel Cormier responded to a claim suggesting that Masvidal could do well under a full training camp.
However, Cormier believed that Usman would still get the better of Masvidal and that strikers wouldn’t be able to beat the champion.
It will be interesting to see who Usman faces next. His tactics were perfect against Masvidal and even though it was a boring fight, he did more than enough to get the win.
Usman also tied a record in the UFC by winning his 12th straight Welterweight clash, something that only the legendary Georges St-Pierre achieved.
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