Nigerian Kamaru Usman is now set to face Jorge Masvidal after Gilbert Burns withdrew from their scheduled bout.
Jorge Masvidal on Sunday, shocked fans when he decided to step up for the fight. Although this has been the fight UFC fans have been waiting to see, the manner at which it came, was a huge surprise!…now they cannot wait for Saturday!…Jorge has just six days to prepare to face defending champion, Kamaru Usman. The fight will be his first UFC world title Fight, which will be hosted in an Island in Abu Dhabi.
Welterweight champion Usman was slated to face Gilbert Burns at UFC 251 but the Brazilian withdrew.
UFC confirmed Masvidal, 35, will compete as long as both fighters pass a succession of tests for coronavirus.
Saturday’s event is being held on Yas Island in order to minimise any risk of spreading the virus.
Both Masvidal and Usman will need to pass tests for the virus before departing the US, upon arrival in Abu Dhabi and after Friday’s scheduled weigh-in.
Nigerian-American Usman won the welterweight title from Tyron Woodley in March 2019 and defended it against Colby Covington in December.
The 33-year-old has only one defeat, which was in 2013 – on his 17-fight mixed martial arts record.
Jorge has become one of UFC’s most popular names and scored a notable win over Nate Diaz in November.
In July of 2019, Masvidal secured the quickest knockout in UFC history when he stopped Ben Askren with a flying knee after just five seconds at UFC 239.