UFC 261: Usman, Masvidal rematch to headline first full-capacity event in 13 months

March 16, 2021 6:19 pm

Kamaru Usman, UFC’s welterweight champion, will be fighting Jorge Masvidal in a rematch on April 24.

Dana White, UFC president, announced the return to the 15,000-seat VyStar Veteran’s Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Monday.

The event is expected to feature three UFC 261 title fights that will mark the promotion’s return to live event production amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Nigerian was unanimously adjudged the winner in the first bout against the American in July 2020.

ICYMI: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 headlines #UFC261 in Jacksonville https://t.co/QeTiJU2m8b via @MMAFighting pic.twitter.com/XMhVOtQeC1

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) March 16, 2021

Usman, who broke Georges St-Pierre’s record last month after knocking out Gilbert Burns by recording his 13th consecutive welterweight win, will face the BFM champion at UFC’s first full-capacity event in 13 months.

It’s going to be the first American sports organisation to host a full crowd since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out last year.

Valentina Shevchenko, flyweight champion, will tackle Jessica Andrade, while Zhang Weili, strawweight champion, faces Rose Namajunas on the same day.