UFC 251: Usman v Masvidal preview, best bets & predictions

Free MMA tips, best bets and analysis for UFC 251: Usman v Masvidal at Fight Island, Abu Dhabi.

Where to watch

Main card BT Sport 1, 3am Saturday night
Prelims BT Sport 1, 1am Saturday night

Best bets

Jorge Masvidal to beat K Usman
2pts 21-10 Hills
Alexander Volkanovski to win by decision
1pt 11-10 general
Petr Yan to win by decision
1pt 11-4 bet365
Rose Namajunas by KO/TKO
1pt 9-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

UFC 251 preview

Jorge Masvidal has turned the UFC 251 main event from the brink of disaster into the most eagerly anticipated fight of the year, and the BMF champion can upset the odds to land the welterweight title by dethroning Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi.

Masvidal was originally set to fight Usman for the title but failed to agree financial terms with the UFC and was replaced with Gilbert Burns. Then late last week Burns tested positive for Covid-19, and with just six days to go Masvidal signed the contract and was flown in on a chartered plane.

Usman is a solid champion and is on a 15-fight win streak, and Masvidal's late call meant he had to endure cutting weight while travelling halfway around the world from the USA.

But Dustin Poirier, who won a UFC main event against Dan Hooker two weeks ago, has said Masvidal was his main sparring partner for his full camp and is in great shape.

After not getting the recognition he deserved for much of his career, 2019 was a breakout year for Masvidal with KO wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz and he oozes relaxed confidence, but the same may not be true for Usman.

The Nigerian Nightmare had spent months preparing a plan for Burns but that will have to be torn up as Masvidal has a completely different style and is one of the most intelligent strikers on the UFC roster.

Masvidal loves the big occasion, so back him to rise to the challenge and take Usman's title.

The co-main event sees a rematch for the featherweight title between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway and the Australian looks a good bet for a repeat victory.

Holloway will have to come up with something significant if he is to force a different outcome, but Volkanovski looks a value bet to win on the scorecards.

Former champion Jose Aldo can never be dismissed easily but his career seems to be coming to an end and upcoming Russian Petr Yan should be backed to take the vacant bantamweight title on his first attempt.

Yan may lack the power to finish Aldo inside the distance but his busy style should see him take the title on the scorecards.

Rose Namajunas lost to Jessica Andrade last year but should be backed for revenge on Fight Island.

Thug Rose was dominating the first encounter until Andrade knocked her unconscious with a body slam in the second round, but Namajunas has a clear advantage in speed and striking and as long as she avoids the same trap she should get the win.

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