#UFC 251 Usman vs. Masvidal: How to watch, fight card, odds

One of the most stacked cards of all time will take place in unprecedented circumstances. UFC 251 is Saturday night — the inaugural event at Dana White’s “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

The card features three title bouts. In the main event, Kamaru Usman will attempt to defend his welterweight title for a second time in a showdown Jorge Masvidal. Usman enters the bout on a 15-fight winning streak, while Masvidal is fighting on short notice after filling in for Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for coronavirus.

In the co-main event, Max Holloway gets his rematch with Alexander Volkanovski. The Australian defeated Holloway seven months ago at UFC 245 by decision to claim the featherweight title.

The vacant bantamweight belt will be on the line between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo. Yan is unbeaten in six fights since being promoted to UFC, and is currently the No. 3 ranked fighter in the division. Aldo got the fight somewhat controversially over Aljamain Sterling, the No. 2 ranked fighter in the division.

Here is all the info you need to know about UFC 251:

Where is UFC 251 taking place?

It is the first-ever card on “Fight Island.” It is located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. UFC built its own octagon on a beach, but it appears the card will take place at the local arena.

When is UFC 251 taking place?

Saturday, July 11. The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET.

What’s the full fight card?

Main Card

Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal (welterweight)

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway (featherweight)

Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo (bantamweight)

Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas (women’s strawweight)

Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant (women’s flyweight)

Prelims

Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka (light heavyweight)

Elizeu Dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov (welterweight)

Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry (featherweight)

Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov (lightweight)

Early Prelims

Marcin Tybura vs. Maxim Grishin (heavyweight)

Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (flyweight)

Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo (women’s bantamweight)

Martin Day vs. Davey Grant (bantamweight)

How can I watch UFC 251?

Main card: ESPN Pay-Per-View

Prelims (8 p.m.): ESPN/ESPN /UFC Fight Pass

Early Prelims (6 p.m.): ESPN/ESPN

What are the odds for Usman vs. Masvidal and who is favored?

Usman (-300) is the favorite over Masvidal ( 240), via William Hill

Is there history in the octagon between Usman and Masvidal?

Saturday will be the first time Usman and Masvidal square off, but there is plenty of history outside of the octagon. After defending his title against Colby Covington in December, many in the UFC community wanted to see Usman take on Masvidal next, including the very outspoken Masvidal. Instead, Usman chose to fight Burns, but the Brazilian’s positive test gave fans the fight they wanted to see.

Earlier this year, the two had an altercation during Super Bowl media day after trading taunts and insults at each other for weeks. After the run-in, Usman tweeted “Lil b—h brought his camera to try and flex and act hard. I was dolo and if you wanted to do something you could have tried but you didn’t lol #youplayedyourself #cloutchaser #tookanotherL (sic)”

Usman reportedly turned down two offers to fight Masvidal because the offers were financially unacceptable before finally agreeing. Usman has described his rivalry with Masvidal as “personal.”