Zane Simon & Eddie Mercado are back tonight, Saturday, April 24th., 2021, to breakdown the ‘UFC 261 - ‘USMAN VS MASVIDAL 2’ event, featuring three title fights, which was broadcast from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida; with our first live full capacity crowd since the COVID-19 shutdown last year. The guys will have hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event in the player above, or on our Bloody Elbow Presents YouTube Channel and BE Presents Podcast Network. (SPOILERS...)

The reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, Kamaru ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Usman, was entering the bout with a remarkable 18-1 record, on a 19-bout win streak – Having last fought and defeated Gilbert Burns by technical knockout back in Feb of this year.

Masvidal, currently holding the ‘BMF’ Championship belt, after defeating Nate Diaz for it at UFC 244, was holding an impressive 35-14 record when he entered the octagon tonight – coming off his last loss to Usman; having not competed since that first face off between them at UFC 251. Tonight, the “Baddest Mother F*cker”, was defeated handily a 2nd time around by Usman.

In the co-main event, we had a brief battle for the Women’s UFC Strawweight Title between Champion Weili ‘Magnum’ Zhang and Top Contender ‘Thug Rose’ Namajunas. Weili was on an unprecedented 21-fight win streak. Namajunas was coming off a win to Jéssica Andrade. Rose did not fail to impress us with a shocking & dominant 1:18 1st Rd finish, via KO/TKO, Head Kick.

Also on the card, an exciting 3rd title fight for the Women’s UFC Flyweight Championship between the undisputed reigning Champion, Valentina ‘Bullet’ Shevchenko, and her contender, Jéssica ‘Bate Estaca’ Andrade (aka: ‘Pile Driver’). Shevchenko was on a 6-fight win streak with a storied 20-3 career record; while Andrade was sporting a 21-8 record. Shevchenko added to her win streak with another KO/TKO victory, this time with bloody elbows from Crucifix at just 3:19 of Round 2!

These bouts were preceded by a wicked freak injury to Chris Weidman when he threw a devastating leg kick to Uriah Hall. Prior to that, our featured main card opener – was a short 1st Rd bout between Anthony Smith & Jimmy Crute, which also ended in a Dr. Stoppage due to a leg injury.

Overall, this 13-bout card saw 6 exciting 1st Rd finishes, 2 fantastic subs, & 7 phenomenal KO/TKO’s – including our 3 title fights, along with 4 decisions - 1 split. Rounding things out, bonuses for putting forth POTN efforts went to Rose Namajunas & Kamaru Usman; FOTN honors went to Aori Qileng vs. Jeff Molina.. What a night of fights we have to share with you, join us to discuss all the action...

Here’s a look at the UFC 261: ‘USMAN VS MASVIDAL 2’ RESULTS:
ESPN+ MAIN PPV CARD | SAT. APR. 24
13. UFC Welterweight Championship - Kamaru Usman (19-1) DEF Jorge Masvidal (35-15) - KO/TKO, Right Cross at 1:02 of Rd 2, Total 6:02

12. Women’s UFC Strawweight Championship - Rose Namajunas (10-4) DEF Weili Zhang (21-2) - KO/TKO, Head Kick at 1:18 of Rd 1

11. Women's UFC Flyweight Championship - Valentina Shevchenko (21-3) DEF Jéssica Andrade (21-9) - KO/TKO, Elbows from Crucifix at 3:19 of Rd 2/5, Total 8:19

10. Uriah Hall DEF Chris Weidman - KO/TKO, BROKEN LEG at 0:17 of Rd 1

9. Anthony Smith DEF Jimmy Crute - KO/TKO, Dr. Stoppage-Leg Injury at 5:00 of Rd 1

PRELIMS
8. Brown DEF Oliveira - SUB, One-Arm Rear Naked Choke at 2:50 of Rd 1

7. Grant DEF Sekulić - DEC, SPLIT

6. Allen DEF Roberson - SUB, Heel Hook at 4:55 of Rd 1

5. Sabatini DEF Connelly - DEC, Unanimous

EARLY PRELIMS
4. Batgerel DEF Natividad - KO/TKO, Counter, Left Hook at 0:50 of Rd 1

3. Vargas DEF Rong - DEC, Unanimous

2. Molina DEF Aori - DEC, Unanimous

1. Carnelossi DEF Liang - KO/TKO to G&P from Guard at 1:28 of Rd 2, Total 6:28

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