It is ON! Jorge Masvidal has AGREED a take care of UFC and can face Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 – studies

A titanic substitute bout has reportedly been agreed for UFC 251 subsequent weekend, with Jorge Masvidal set to step in to face champion Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title.

BMF champion Masvidal was the pure No. 1 contender to face Usman for the UFC’s 170-pound title, however appeared to have priced himself out of the matchup when the UFC dropped talks with the Miami native and as an alternative booked Usman to struggle Brazilian contender – and cheaper possibility – Gilbert Burns within the “Struggle Island” headliner.

However these plans hit the buffers earlier than Usman and Burns even left the States, with the information that Burns had failed his pre-travel COVID-19 take a look at – the primary precautionary step in a battery of checks fighters and staffers are required to endure earlier than struggle evening on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

It left Usman nonetheless within the States, and with out an opponent, only one week earlier than struggle evening. However the UFC has since scrambled and, after former interim champion Colby Covington and BMF champ Masvidal each expressed their willingness to step in, the UFC seems to have struck a take care of the latter.

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ESPN’s MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has confirmed that the pair have each agreed to the struggle, and are headed to Las Vegas the place, if their respective COVID checks are destructive, they are going to board a flight to Abu Dhabi, the place they are going to enter a 48-hour quarantine earlier than present process their regular struggle week obligations.

“Negotiations for Usman vs. Masvidal are finished, per sources,” Helwani posted to Instagram.

“All sides agreed to phrases. Usman is en path to LV; Masvidal landed earlier through non-public jet. As soon as on the lodge, they’ll should take a COVID take a look at after which quarantine whereas awaiting outcomes. If destructive, they’ll fly to AD doubtless tomorrow.

“Negotiations had been clearly an enormous hurdle however now that’s clear. Now it depends upon that COVID take a look at, which is clearly a large hurdle, too. Whole crap shoot. If (hopefully not) they don’t go the COVID take a look at the struggle can’t and received’t occur.”

Ohhh shit look who’s checking into the lodge in Vegas 👀….I’m past pumped for this struggle #FightIsland pic.twitter.com/I8cPsDfMAe

— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) July 5, 2020

Presently, the UFC has not confirmed the reserving, and the promotion is unlikely to take action till they’ve a minimum of one set of destructive COVID checks confirmed for every fighter. Nevertheless, following preliminary reporting from ESPN, MMA Junkie has secured affirmation from sources near the matchup. 

However the potential signing of the perfect welterweight title struggle the UFC may e-book will elevate followers’ expectations forward of the UFC’s first-ever “Struggle Island” present.

In addition to the Usman vs. Masvidal title struggle, the struggle card for Yas Island additionally boasts two additional title fights.

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will put his belt on the road for the primary time towards former champion Max Holloway in a rematch of their conflict at UFC 245 final December.

And on the identical card Russia’s Petr Yan will tackle former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo for the vacant UFC bantamweight title.

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