The UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has successfully defended his title again after registering a massive knock out against his latest challenger.
In what was his fifth defense of his 170-pound title, Usman knocked Jorge Masvidal out cold in Round 2 of their UFC 261 main event rematch inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Usman (19-1) left no one in doubt that he would for whatever reason not relinquish his title.
The Nigerian Nightmare as he is fondly called was dominant throughout in terms of takedowns and top control on the ground, which Masvidal would go on to say he fully expected.
Unlike their first meeting in 2020, in which Masvidal accepted the fight on late notice and lost a one-sided decision, the 36-year-old slugger had no excuses following a full training camp.
“He showed me something that he didn’t show the first fight [when] I didn’t feel his power,” Masvidal said. “That’s what happens when you get overconfident. I thought we were going to wrestle more and I was ready to wrestle for 25 minutes but all the props in the world to him. He has got my number. There is nothing more to say. He won this fair and square and God bless him.”
In his third fight with new trainer Trevor Wittman, Usman’s evolution as a striker continued to be the story at age 33.”Jacksonville, Florida, you all said you wanted violence?” Usman said. “You’re welcome.”Usman caught Masvidal (35-15) flush with a clean right cross which turned his chin and left him unconscious at 1:02 of Round 2. “
No disrespect, thank you to my man Jorge,” Usman said. “You elevated me and it has been a while since I have been extremely nervous to fight. He elevated me and made me go to the workshop and I had to sharpen my tools tonight. I am still getting better.
The sky is the limit for as long as I am doing this. “I am the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet right now.”The victory extended Usman’s win streak to 14 fights. It also marked the first time the Masvidal was stopped due to strikes in his eight-year UFC run.
“First time in my career, in front of all my people, my family and my friends,” Masvidal said. “It hurts since I haven’t been knocked out in 54 fights. I didn’t fear his power and that’s what happens
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