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In the main event title bout at welterweight for UFC 261, Kamaru Usman will fight Jorge Masvidal Saturday night from Jacksonville, FL and available on ESPN+ PPV. It will be the second fight between these two mixed martial artists, as they competed at UFC 251 last year with Usman winning by unanimous decision.
The 33-year-old Usman enters the octagon with a professional fighting record of 18-1, and is the welterweight champion. He’s also ranked second in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings. “The Nigerian Nightmare” last competed at UFC 258 in February, defeating Gilbert Burns by technical knockout in Round 3. Usman has also won 17-straight professional bouts, including 13 in the UFC.
The welterweight champ averages 4.66 strikes per minute, with an accuracy of 54%. But the 33-year-old Usman only absorbs 2.33 strikes per minute, while he defends against them at 58%. The former collegiate wrestling champion has a 3.22 takedown average per 15 minutes with a 47% takedown accuracy.
Masvidal walks into the main event with a professional fighting record of 35-14. He’s ranked fourth in the welterweight class and last fought at UFC 251, where the 36-year-old fighter loss to Usman. Out of Masvidal’s 35 professional wins, 17 has been by decision and 16 by TKO/KO. “Gamebred” lands 4.2 significant strikes per minute with 47% accuracy. He also absorbs more strikes than his opponent at three per minute and defends against them at 65%. Unlike Usman, Masvidal is not much of a grappler with a 1.57 takedown average and 59% accuracy.
Here are the betting odds at DraftKings Sportsbook for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 on April 24.
Money line odds
Kamaru Usman: -435
Jorge Masvidal: +320
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