UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2, Picks, Odds, & Analysis | The MMA Vivisection PRELIMS SHOW

Zane Simon & Connor Ruebusch are back with the MMA Vivisection PRELIMS SHOW, breaking down a set of eight bouts on this 13-bout UFC 261: 'Usman vs Masvidal 2' Preliminary Card.

"The UFC returns with a stacked PPV main card this week, including three title fights. Kamaru Usman looks to leave no doubt in his win over Jorge Masvidal, giving ‘Gamebred’ a rematch of their 2020 contest in the main event. In the co-main, Weili Zhang makes the second defense of her Strawweight belt, against former champion Rose Namajunas. Alongside those title fights, Valentina Shevchenko takes on what looks to be the most dangerous contender of her flyweight title reign, tackling powerhouse former strawweight champ Jessica Andrade." - Zane Simon

For those fans who wish to dive deeper into the MAIN CARD, check out that version of the MMA Vivi which airs at 2pm Central today, Thurs., April 22nd., 2021, right here on our SC channel.

Sign up for the #ESPN+ PPV and watch #UFC261 #USMANvsMASVIDAL2 - APR 24th. 2021 // #UFCJACKSONVILLE // http://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/595608/9070?sharedid=BloodyElbow

The MMA Vivisection is brought to you by Combat Wombat, makers of combat sports themed artwork featuring MMA’s legendary fighters and legendary fights. Visit chrisrini.com for the latest pieces and commissions. Get your Combat Wombat themed Vivi t-shirts today! cottonbureau.com/products/dr-wombat

Here’s a look at the upcoming fight card & records for the upcoming event (bout order subject to change):

ESPN+ MAIN PPV CARD | SAT. APR. 24 - 10PM/7PM ETPT
13. UFC Welterweight Championship - Kamaru Usman (18-1) vs Jorge Masvidal (35-14) - Picks - Both: Usman
12. UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship - Weili Zhang (21-1) vs Rose Namajunas (9-4)- Picks - Both: Weili
11. UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship - Valentina Shevchenko (20-3) vs Jéssica Andrade (21-8) - Picks - Zane: Shevchenko / Connor: Andrade
10. 185lbs Chris Weidman (15-5) vs Uriah Hall (16-9) - Picks - Zane: Hall / Connor: Weidman
9. 205lbs Anthony Smith (34-16) vs Jimmy Crute (12-1) - Picks - Both: Crute

ESPN/ESPN+ PRELIMS | 8PM/5PM ETPT
8. 170lbs Randy Brown (12-4) vs Alex Oliveira (22-9) - At 2:37, Odds 13:24, Picks - Zane: Brown, Connor: Oliveira

7. 170lbs Dwight Grant (10-3) vs Stefan Sekulić (12-3) - At 14:35, Odds 19:40, Picks - Both: Grant

6. 185lbs Brendan Allen (15-4) vs Karl Roberson (9-3) - At 20:49, Odds 27:35, Picks - Zane: Roberson, Connor: Allen

5. 145lbs Tristan Connelly (14-6) vs Pat Sabatini (13-3) - At 28:23, Odds 34:18, Picks - Both: Sabatini

UFC FIGHT PASS EARLY PRELIMS | 5:45PM/2:45PM ETPT
4. 135lbs Danaa Batgerel (8-2) vs Kevin Natividad (9-2) - At 34:44, Odds Skipped-Sorry, Picks - Both: Batgerel

3. 155lbs Zhu Rong (17-3) vs Kazula Rodrigo Vargas (11-4) - At 43:16, Odds 55:29, Picks - Both: Zhu

2. 125lbs Jeffrey Molina (8-2) vs Qileng Aori (18-6) - At 56:36, Odds 1:03:09, Picks - Both: Aori

1. 115lbs Ariane Carnelossi (12-2) vs Na Liang (15-4) - At 1:04:13, Odds 1:08:25, Picks - Both: Carnelossi

For those of you following the picks made on the show, we started tracking them with the July 13th, 2020 Vivisections for ‘Kattar vs. Ige’... Standings for our last event, UFC Vegas 24: Both Zane & Connor went 6 out of the 10 bouts we were left with. So far, here are the overall standings: Zane is now 254/396 and Connor is now 2241/396

Be sure to follow Zane on twitter @TheZaneSimon, follow Connor, @BoxingBusch, and follow @BloodyElbow for all the latest in MMA happenings. If you enjoy our show, "heart" us here on SC, or "like" & share over on whichever BE Presents Podcast Channel happens to be your listening platform of choice.