Kamaru Usman beats Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision to retain UFC welterweight belt

Kamaru Usman defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision in Sunday morning’s UFC 251 headliner on “Fight Island” to remain the undisputed UFC welterweight champion.

The judges scored the bout 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 for Usman.

The victory was Usman’s 12th consecutive in the UFC, tying Khabib Nurmagomedov for the promotion’s longest active winning streak. The win by Usman (17-1) also tied him with Georges St-Pierre for the longest streak in UFC welterweight history.

The fight took place on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island — dubbed “Fight Island” for a monthlong slate of UFC events — and came together only in the past week. Gilbert Burns, who was Usman’s scheduled opponent, tested positive for COVID-19 on July 3, just hours before the UFC charter was set to leave Las Vegas for Abu Dhabi. The UFC was able to come to terms with Masvidal (35-14), who balked at the promotion’s initial offer for the fight two months ago.

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