UFC 251: Usman Vs Masvidal Betting Predictions

Joseph Kata, Last Updated: June 28th, 2024 - NJ Sports Betting - Free $3,250 For Sports Bets In New Jersey

With a sudden shift in the main event due to Gilbert Burns needing to drop out due to COVID-19, UFC 251 has become even more interesting with the announcement that Kamaru Usman was now going to face Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal.

While Burns was on fire heading into this title shot, it is easy to see that Masvidal is the bigger name at this point to try and unseat the champ Usman.

UFC 251 will also be the first fight event held at Fight Island, which is on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The fights will go down Saturday, July 11 with the main card starting at 10 pm ET, even though the fights are half a world away.

When Is UFC 251?

UFC 251 was originally scheduled for June 6 in Australia, but with all the postponements due to the pandemic, it became necessary to change the date of the event and the location. It is now scheduled to go down at Yas Island (Fight Island) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 11. The main card is scheduled to start at 10:00 pm ET.

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Where Will UFC 251: Usman Vs Masvidal Take Place?

Dana White has shuffled locations for UFC events since they restarted fights a couple of months ago amid the pandemic. UFC Jacksonville was where it started, and then events moved to Las Vegas at the UFC Training Facility.

One more move to Fight Island is in the works, as UFC 251: Usman Vs Masvidal will take place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi now. This will be the venue for the next few events over the next month, including UFC 252.

What Is Fight Island?

Fight Island was shrouded in secrecy for weeks after it slipped out that UFC President Dana White was setting up a “fight island” to hold secure fights and keep fighters protected from the current pandemic. Of course, this led to wild speculation and invoked imagery akin to a Steven Seagal or Jean-Claude Van Damme movie with taped knuckles dipped in glass in a barn somewhere. The truth is way more civilized, as Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is a manmade island from the United Arab Emirates that contains multiple theme parks and resort hotels. While the exact location of the fights is yet to be seen, the possibilities for venues are endless there since there will be no attendance.

What Happened To Usman Vs Burns As The UFC 251 Main Event?

Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns were scheduled to square off in the main event initially, but Burns, unfortunately, contracted COVID-19 before he made it to Fight Island and had to excuse himself from the fight.

Jorge Masvidal stepped up on short notice to take the fight and everything was finalized quickly, along with also receiving a new multi-fight deal.

Usman Vs Masvidal Betting Odds

Welterweight champ Kamaru Usman was ready to defend his belt against the on-fire Gilbert Burns and his six-fight win streak. Originally, he was a substantial favorite over Burns at -240. Now that Jorge Masvidal has stepped up to fill the spot vacated by the recovering Burns, the odds have shifted even further in Usman’s favor.

Take a look below at some of the Usman vs Masvidal betting odds from UFC 251:

• Fight Result (Win): Usman -275 at FOXBet, Masvidal +230 at DraftKings
• Kamaru Usman Wins By KO/TKO: +110 at FOXBet
• Kamaru Usman Wins By Decision/Points: +160 at FOXBet
• Jorge Masvidal Wins By KO/TKO: +350 at FOXBet
• Jorge Masvidal Wins By Decision/Points: +550 at FOXBet

Usman Vs Masvidal: Tale Of The Tape

Usman Vs. Masvidal Prediction

The roots for Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman kicked into high gear during Super Bowl week earlier this year, where both verbally sparred with one another and Usman stated that a bout between the two was “imminent”. However, that spot was given to a surging Gilbert Burns after he beat Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night on May 30.

With Burns dropping out and Masvidal successfully pining for a new fight contract, we now have a welterweight fight six months in the making. Masvidal may not have won six in a row, but the sole “BMF” belt holder (given to him by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) is on an upswing with three wins in a row.

This includes a notable knee to the head of Ben Askren five seconds into the fight and beating Nate Diaz via doctor stoppage last November.

Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman has been the model of consistency not seen in the Welterweight Division for a while, having won 15 in a row with his last fight being a KO of Colby Covington late in the 5th and final round at UFC 245 last December.

Make no bones about it: Masvidal WILL test Usman. He comes in headstrong and body-ready, and much like you saw against Ben Askren, he formulates creative, fun, and possibly devastating, gameplans to defeat tough opponents.

Right now though, there’s no tougher opponent than the champ. Usman is easily the toughest opponent Gamebred has faced in a while. Masvidal’s popularity outshines most, and his fights border on legendary.

Usman will take this fight to the ground where he has a distinct advantage and will smother Masvidal whenever he gets the chance. He can strike, but that’s where Jorge has a significant edge. If Usman can keep his composure and creates a solid gameplan in the week he has before the fight, I see him taking this in a wild UFC 251 main event.

Since it’s short notice, I’m expecting some hesitation to go all out on Usman’s side and have him side with what is the easiest path to victory: ground control and striking on the mat repeatedly. And I’m expecting Masvidal to hang tough, but lose by decision.

Prediction: Usman To Win Via Decision +160 At FOXBet

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UFC 251 Betting Predictions

Volkanovski vs Holloway 2 Prediction

“The Great” Alexander Volkanovski has been nothing short of his nickname lately, rattling off win-after-win in the Featherweight division. This is a rematch of his last fight, where he took the strap away from Max Holloway via unanimous decision at UFC 245 in December.

While The Great was able to beat “Blessed” by decision last time, apparently it wasn’t enough for the champ. He apparently asked for this rematch and has expressed a desire to stop the former featherweight champ within five rounds. Sounds like he has a point to prove.

And I’m sold on that point to prove. It’s clear to me that right now, Volkanovski is on the upswing of his career and ready to take on all comers. Holloway is a great fighter, but let’s be clear: he got beat up last time. He stuck in there and gave himself a chance to win, but leg kicks from the start threw Max off his rhythm and opened him up to “get these hands”.

Let’s go with Volkanovski doing exactly what he’s setting out to do and remaining champ while proving he doesn’t need a decision to do so.

Prediction: Volkanovski By KO, TKO, or DQ +450 At FOXBet

Yan vs Aldo Prediction

For the vacant bantamweight title, we’re getting Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo at UFC 251. Yan has won six straight fights in the UFC, including a head kick KO of legend Urijah Faber at UFC 245 in December. Aldo was placed in this spot by Dana White even though he’s lost his last two fights via decision at 145.

Even with the latest losses to a current Featherweight champ and a Bantamweight contender, Aldo is a force in the division and will be a tough opponent for Yan.

Yan can knock out Aldo, sure. But it’s not as easy as Conor McGregor made it look. I’m more leaning on the side of Yan grinding out a decision against Aldo much as he did to the likes of John Dodson and Jimmie Rivera recently.

Aldo’s a tough one to bet against in general considering what he’s capable of, but it’s hard to bet on a fighter in a title fight that’s lost two in a row against a dude who is on some kind of roll right now and has actually earned his shot.

Let’s go with Yan and I like the value on Yan by decision at DraftKings since it doesn’t specify “unanimous decision”.

Prediction: Yan To Win Via Decision +275 At DraftKings

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ABOUT Joseph Kata

Joseph is a contributor at BonusSeeker after working many years as a site manager for MLB and NHL.com. Over the last 15 years, he has written for sports, betting, real estate, and dating sites. While one of his passions is delivering quality, usable content, he is also passionate about his family and sports.