MMA: Usman-Masvidal, it's really going to hit

The planet MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) will vibrate. The UFC 251 (Ultimate Fighting Championship) promises a relentless confrontation on the island of Yas, renamed Fight Island, between the Nigerian Kamaru Usman, holder of the welterweight title, and the American Jorge Masvidal in Abu Dhabi, in the night from Saturday to Sunday (4 am in France).

"It might be time for the pig to scream," tweeted the 33-year-old Nigerian, referring to his opponent when the fight was announced. At 35, Jorge Masvidal, who replaces Brazilian Gilbert Burns forfeited due to a positive test at Covid-19, also spit his venom during an interview on the sports channel ESPN. He was looking forward to "breaking this guy's face and then being paid for it." "

Might be time for the Pig to squeal 😏😏

And it is better that the two boxers do not meet outside the octagon. Last February, the Nigerian and the American almost came to blows during a radio show in Miami. "We must not forget that this sport is also a spectacle", puts in perspective Damien Lapilus, French fighter and consultant on RMC.

The physical against the punch

Kamaru Usman (1.83 m, 77 kg) will enter the octagon in the favorite position, losing for 16 victories, including eleven in a row. The current champion "is very athletic and has a very big fight", according to Damien Lapilus. But the latter specifies that “Masvidal is a puncher who has made five last fights very solid. The American, No. 3 in the category (35 wins for 13 losses), is also the author of the fastest knockout in the UFC, sending Ben Askren to the mat in five seconds in July 2019.

Masvidal had refused the fight against Usman last June, considering that the UFC did not pay him enough. Since then, an agreement has been reached, although no official amount has been disclosed. But during his last confrontation against Nate Diaz, the native of Miami had won 500,000 dollars (443,000 euros).

When the shock was announced, Masvidal also revealed that he weighed 87 kg for 1.80 m. He had until Friday to drop to 77 kg. "He knows very well what he is doing, he has been preparing for several months for such a fight", moderates the consultant RMC. He also sees him win. “When we look at Usman's last fight, he wins against Covington who strikes but doesn't have the cash to last 25 minutes. Masvidal hits harder, ”notes the French fighter.