UFC 251: Usman and Masvidal war of words

Jorge Masvidal had no hesitation in agreeing to face Kamaru Usman on six days' notice, branding the UFC welterweight champion "mentally weak" ahead of their Yas Island showdown in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Usman was scheduled to fight Gilbert Burns at UFC 251 at Fight Island - created for international events due to restrictions preventing some fighters from travelling to the United States - but the challenger withdrew. Masvidal, who beat Liverpool's Darren Till, the previously undefeated Ben Askren and fellow American veteran Nate Diaz in a highly impressive 2019, has therefore settled his pay dispute with the UFC and put his hand up. The opportunity represents Masvidal's first UFC title shot in a 17-year mixed martial arts career in which he has compiled a 35-13 record.