UFC is in Abu Dhabi tonight as the sport embarks on its Fight Island vacation - and kicking things off is a welterweight title bout that few thought would ever happen. Read on as we explain how to watch UFC 251 and live stream Usman vs Masvidal - catch the unmissable Octagon clash and the full card online with the help of our guide.
The event's big showdown had been due to see Kamaru Usman take to the Octagon against Gilbert Burns, however the Brazilian tested positive for Covid-19, bringing about the need for a new challenger.
Watch UFC 251: Usman vs Masvidal
UFC 251 takes place on Saturday, July 11 behind closed doors at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island. Early prelims are set for 6-8 pm ET in the US, with prelims set to follow at 8-10 pm ET. The main card is then scheduled for 10pm ET / 7pm PT - and and American readers wanting to cut to the chase need only know that ESPN+ will be the place to watch the fight.
The news that Jorge Masvidal has been drafted in as an unlikely last-minute replacement, and that Usman's welterweight title will remain on the line has UFC fans salivating. Arguably the fight most people wanted to see in the first place, UFC supremo Dana White had previously been unable to broker the match-up, but it now gives one of the sport's most popular and charismatic figures a long-awaited shot at a title.
As well as featuring a match that has the potential to be the fight of the year, there's also huge interest in the card's unique staging. The first of four UFC events taking place on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, in order to comply with local public health regulations, the arena is situated in a safety zone of ten square miles, with the complex also including access to amenities such as hotels, restaurants and a training cage on the beach.
Read on as we explain how to watch UFC 251 online and live stream Usman vs Masvidal on ESPN+ tonight,
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UFC 251 live stream: watch Usman vs Masvidal and today's full card online
UFC fans in the US will likely know that ESPN+ has the rights to all of the biggest MMA fights around. That means it's your one and only place to watch UFC 251 tonight in the US, with that massive Usman vs Masvidal main event slated to start at around 10pm ET (7pm PT) .
Your options for watching the event depend on whether or not you have already dived in and bought a subscription to ESPN+. If you haven't, then the obvious way to go is with a UFC Bundle, costing you $84.98 - orders are already open. While that might sound like a lot, it's not just getting you the UFC 251 PPV, but you’ll get a year-long subscription to ESPN+ (that would normally cost $50 alone) - a savings of over 25% in total.
On top of being able to stream July's big event, a subscription to ESPN+ also opens up access to over 20 exclusive live UFC Fight Nights, alongside original content including Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC Destined, and Ariel & The Bad Guy, plus classic fights, replays, and there’s also the perk of fewer adverts.
What does a UFC fan get with their ESPN+ subscription?
Quite a lot, as it happens - On top of being able to stream July's big event, a subscription to ESPN+ opens up access to over 20 exclusive live UFC Fight Nights, alongside original content including Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC Destined, and Ariel & The Bad Guy, plus classic fights, replays, and there’s also the perk of fewer commercials.
UFC 251 full card
MAIN CARD
Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Jorge Masvidal (UFC Welterweight Championship Title Fight)
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Max Holloway (UFC Featherweight Championship Title Fight)
Petr Yan vs. José Aldo (UFC Bantamweight Championship Title Fight)
Jéssica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas (Women's Strawweight)
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant (Women's Flyweight)
PRELIMS
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiřà Procházka (Light Heavyweight)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov (Welterweight)
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry (Featherweight)
Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov (Lightweight)
EARLY PRELIMS
Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Romanov (Heavyweight)
Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (Flyweight)
Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo (Women's Bantamweight)
Davey Grant vs. Martin Day (Bantamweight)
Who are Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal?
Having chalked up 11 straight victories in the UFC, Kamaru Usman excels at grappling, and took the welterweight crown from Tyron Woodley last year utilising his formidable wrestling and skills. While the Nigerian Nightmare is known for his floor work, he can punch his way out of trouble when needed, and perfectly illustrated his fists as a means of attack during his dramatic final round stoppage over Colby Covington during the first defence of his title.
One of the most high profile fighters currently plying a trade in UFC, Jorge Masvidal's world class take down defence is becoming the stuff on legend, and his striking style should provide a fascinating counterpoint to the champ's grappling.
Who is the favorite to win the Usman vs Masvidal fight?
Masvidal would likely have come into this clash as the underdog in normal circumstances, but his late inclusion on the bill with just a week to prepare places his odds with bookies even further out of his favour.
When did Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal last step into the ring?
Masvidal last stepped into the Octagon back in November at UFC 244 in New York when he was awarded victory over Nate Diaz after doctor's stopped the fight in the third round due to a cut above his opponent's eye.
Usman will be defending his belt for the second time after defeating Colby Covington in brutal style at UFC 245 in December in a clash that set a new record for the latest finish ever in a UFC welterweight fight.
What are the other highlights from UFC 251?
At one point UFC 251's main event, the rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway places the featherweight title on the line. Having lost their previous title fight Holloway must somehow pick off the seemingly unstoppable Australian who has 18 straight wins to his name dating back to 2013.
The night's third title fight sees Jose Aldo, commonly regarded as the greatest featherweight in history, take on Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight title.
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