UFC 261 Results, Live Coverage And Discussion: Usman vs. Masvidal 2
Welcome to Fightful.com’s results, live coverage and discussion for UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2.
We will bring you full, fight-by-fight coverage of the main card, plus quick results for tonight’s preliminary bouts. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.
Main Card (Pay-Per-View, 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT)
Kamaru Usman (C) def. Jorge Masvidal (No. 4) via KO (1:02, R2)
Rose Namajunas (No. 1) def. Weili Zhang (C) via KO (1:18, R1)
Valentina Shevchenko (C) def. Jessica Andrade (No. 1) via TKO (3:19, R2)
Uriah Hall (No. 9) def. Chris Weidman (No. 11) via TKO (0:17, R1)
Anthony Smith (No. 6) def. Jimmy Crute (No. 13) via TKO (5:00, R1)
Prelims (ESPN, 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT)
Randy Brown def. Alex Oliveira by submission via rear-naked choke (2:50, R1)
Dwight Grant def. Stefan Sekulic via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Brendan Allen def. Karl Roberson by submission via heel hook (4:55, R1)
Patrick Sabatini def. Tristan Connelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Early Prelims (ESPN2, 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT)
Danaa Batgerel def. Kevin Natividad via TKO (0:50, R1)
Kazula Vargas def. Rong Zhu via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Jeffrey Molina def. Aori Qheng via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Ariane Carnelossi def. Liang Na via TKO (1:28, R2)
***Continue below for play-by-play coverage once the main card begins***
Kamaru Usman (C) vs. Jorge Masvidal (No. 4)
Round One: The main event of the evening, the rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal is officially underway with Herb Dean as the third man inside of the octagon. Masvidal opens the action with a leg kick that lands and just misses a kick to the champ’s body. Usman cracks Masvidal with a right hook and fakes a takedown attempt immediately after. Usman ducks under a left hook from Masvidal and lands a left jab onto the challenger. Masvidal goes for a flying knee, Usman avoids it and throws him down to the mat and gets top control. Usman remains in top control but Masvidal remains active from his back, landing a few side elbows. Masvidal pushes his way back to the fence and gets to his feet but Usman tries to bring him back to the mat. Masvidal is able to separate and circle back to the center of the octagon and Usman drills Masvidal with a straight left. Masvidal throws a wild combo, misses most of it but lands a jumping knee to the body and the buzzer sounds to send this one to a second round.
Round Two: The second round is underway and Masvidal continues to try and chew up Usman’s lead leg. Masvidal throws a left hook, Usman ducks out of the way and throws a massive overhand right that sends Masvidal to the canvas and after a bevy of follow up shots of ground and pound, referee Herb Dean waves this one off. Kamaru Usman is STILL the UFC welterweight champion…and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon.
Result – Kamaru Usman (C) def. Jorge Masvidal (No. 4) via KO (1:02, R2)
Zhang Weili (C) vs. Rose Namajunas (No. 1)
Round One: The co-main event of the evening for the UFC women’s strawweight championship is underway. Namajunas opens up with a left hook that finds it’s mark and Weili counters with a left jab and leg kick that both land. Namajunas drills Weili with a wild head kick that sends the champ to the mat and after a few follow up shots, referee Keith Peterson waves it off. And new. What a performance from Rose Namajunas.
Result – Rose Namajunas (No. 1) def. Weili Zhang (C) via KO (1:18, R1)
Valentina Shevchenko (C) vs. Jessica Andrade (No. 1)
Round One: The first of three title fights of the evening is officially underway. Valentina pushes the pace early and partially lands a lead leg kick. Andrade uses the opening minute to feel out the champ. Valentina shoots for a takedown and lands in. Andrade gets right back up but Valentina drags her right back to the mat. After a few seconds of struggle, Andrade scrambles back to her feet and circles back to the center of the octagon. Valentina stuns Andrade with a right hook, goes for a throw but Andrade is able to stay on her feet and clinches Shevchenko against the fence but the champ pulls her down and gets yet another takedown. Shevchenko gets the back and locks-in a rear-naked choke but Andrade calmly gets out of danger for the time being. Shevchenko, still with back control works for underhooks but Andrade powers back to her feet as the champ lands a knee to the body in the clinch. Shevchenko relentlessy works for a takedown and throws Andrade to the mat and lands in side control and the champ rides out the final 10-seconds of the round in the position until the buzzer sounds to send this one to the second round.
Round Two: Round number two gets underway and Andrade lands a left hook but Shevchenko latches on and drags the Brazilian-born contender to the mat for a sixth successful takedown. Shevchenko works the body of Andrade with a bevy of punches and tries to transition to side control but Andrade scrambles and powers back to her feet and gets Shevchenko pressed against the cage but Shevchenko trips Andrade to the mat and immediately ends up in the crucifix position, drops massive elbows and referee Dan Miragliotta has seen enough. Another dominant performance by Valentina Shevchenko.
Result – Valentina Shevchenko (C) def. Jessica Andrade (No. 1) via TKO (3:19, R2)
Uriah Hall (No. 9) vs. Chris Weidman (No. 11)
Round One: This middleweight bout is officially underway. Weidman opens the action with a heavy lead leg kick that’s checked by Hall and Weidman’s leg snaps in half and just like that…how ironic. Chris Weidman loses by checked leg kick…wow.
Result – Uriah Hall (No. 9) def. Chris Weidman (No. 11) via TKO (0:17, R1)
Anthony Smith (No. 6) vs. Jimmy Crute (No. 13)
Round One: The main card opener is officially underway. Both men use the first minute to feel each other out until Crute lands a stabbing front kick to the body of Smith. Crute eats a left jab from Smith and lands a heavy lead leg kick in response. Smith lands a pair of straight lefts that stings Crute. Smith can’t get out of the way of a left hook from Crute, who follows it up with another lead leg kick. Smith returns fire and drills Crute with a lead leg kick of his own and Crute dives in for a takedown and gets Smith to the mat, Smith powers to his feet but Crute drags him right back down but the buzzer sounds and the opening frame comes to an end. During the break in-between rounds, Crute’s leg is checked out by doctors who wave off the fight. Anthony Smith gets the win by TKO. Crushing decision for Crute.
Result – Anthony Smith (No. 6) def. Jimmy Crute (No. 13) via TKO (5:00, R1)
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