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Kamaru Usman Opens as Heavy Favorite to Beat Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251

July 5, 2020 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris

As previously reported, the UFC 251 card is currently undergoing some significant changes. Originally scheduled welterweight title contender Gilbert Burns has been forced to withdraw from his title fight against champion Kamaru Usman after a reported diagnosis with COVID-19. Now, it appears that a title fight between Jorge Masvidal and Usman could be in the works as a last-minute replacement. Per betting lines sent to us by SportsBetting.ag, Usman has opened as a heavy favorite to beat Masvidal for the fight.

Currently, Usman is the favorite to beat Masvidal at -310 odds. Meanwhile, Masvidal is the betting underdog at +260. Masvidal has won his last three fights in the Octagon, beating Darren Till and Ben Askren with stunning knockout victories. He later beat Nate Diaz at UFC 244 last November for the “BMF Title” via third-round TKO due to a doctor stoppage.

His rumored opponent, the reigning champion Kamaru Usman, is unbeaten in the UFC. Usman beat former champion Tyron Woodley to capture the title at UFC 235 in March of last year to win the belt. He later defended it against Colby Covington at UFC 245 by fifth round knockout to retain the title. Usman is 11-0 in the UFC and 17-1 overall in his MMA career. He has not lost a fight since May 2013, which was the second fight of his pro MMA career.

Still scheduled for the card is featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against former champion Max Holloway. Volkanovski is currently favored to win the fight at -235 odds. Holloway is the underdog at +200.

Also scheduled for the event is a fight for the vacant bantamweight title. Petr Jan will face former featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Aldo is currently the underdog at +200. Yan is the favorite at -235.

UFC 251 is scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at UFC Fight Island on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. The fight card will be available live on pay-per-view through ESPN+. Prelims will be shown on ESPN, ESPN+, and UFC Fight Pass.