UFC 261: Kamaru Usman Knocks Out Jorge Masvidal

The much anticipated welterweight title rematch between defending champion, Kamoru Usman, and Jorge Masvidal, ended in a knockout on Saturday.

Usman successfully defended his welterweight title with a stunning KO that left Masvidal prone on the canvas.

Both fighters were meeting for a second time in less than a year following Usman’s points victory last July.

But on this occasion, the champion needed a little over six minutes to retain his title, rendering Masvidal unconscious with a stunning right hand.

The champion pressured Masvidal with several unanswered blows on the canvas before referee Herb Dean stepped in.

Usman has now made four defences of his 170lb title and is expected to face another rematch later this year against Colby Covington whom he defeated in December 2019.

“You all said you wanted violence, you’re welcome,” said the champion.

“No disrespect, I want to say thank you to my man Jorge, you elevated me, you made me have to.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been nervous before a fight, but he elevated me.

“He made me go to the workshop, I had to sharpen my tools to come out and put on a performance like that. I am still getting better.”

Masvisal on his part said, “First time I’ve been knocked out in my career, and it’s in front of my people, my family and my friends, so it hurts.

“I’ve never been knocked out in 54 fights. Usman showed me something I didn’t see in the first fight. I didn’t see his power.

“I thought we were going to wrestle more, I was ready to wrestle for 25 minutes. All the props in the world to him, he caught me by surprise and he has my number.

“There’s nothing I can say but he won this fair and square.”