UFC 261: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Ready for Usman vs. Masvidal Free UFC 261 Free Picks and betting odds & predictions? Here is a full breakdown of the leadup, what to expect during the fight, and some logical outcomes.
Event: UFC 261
Date: April 24th, 2021
Time: Main Card: 10 P.M. EST.
Location: Jacksonville Arena
Broadcast: PPV on ESPN+
Main Event: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masdival
The UFC Welterweight title is on the line when Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masdival meet up for the second time in less than a year. Usman successfully defended his crown in that fight, winning via unanimous decision.
Usman is a decent -375 favorite to make it two in a row and push his UFC record to 14-0. Masvidal hasn’t fought since the previous meeting, but has some value at +285.
Usman is just such a powering presence that it’s hard not to like him for yet another win. The Nigerian Nightmare is just three wins shy of tying Anderson Silva’s record of 16 straight wins inside the octagon.
Usman does have a fight under his belt since the last time he met up with Masvidal, ending things early with a barrage of punches in the 3rd vs. Gilbert Burns. That was just the third KO/TKO in his 13 fight UFC career though.
Saturday night’s main event is no sure thing for Usman however. He was staggered early against Burns, and couldn’t finish Masvidal in the first fight even though “Gamebred’ only had a week’s notice to make the trip to Fight Island Abu Dhabi. Burns was supposed to be Usman’s opponent in that fight.
Usman is also on the short turnaround, beating Burns back in February. The 36-year-old Masvidal hasn’t stepped inside the Octagon since July.
Masvidal also had one of the best years in UFC history during his 2019 stretch that included KO wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz. That earned him 2019 fight of the year honors. All 8 of Masvidal’s UFC losses have been by decision.
Oddsmakers are expecting another decision in the UFC 261 main event, as “fight goes the distance” is priced at -160. Usman by decision has value at -125, but if Masvidal pulls out the decision it pays out +1200.
Masvidal does have the potential to end things early, and this fight will have an increased excitement level because there will be a full crowd in attendance. Ultimately though, Usman just wears you down, dominating and frustrating opponents. That’s likely going to happen again.