Kamaru Usman will defend his UFC welterweight title against Jorge Masvidal for a second time on April 24 in the main event of UFC 261, as the promotion prepares to welcome a large crowd to an event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Masvidal stepped in at short notice to replace Gilbert Burns on July 12 of last year, ultimately losing via unanimous decision to Usman on Fight Island with no fans in attendance. This time around, "Gamebred" will have a full training camp — and the fight is set to be witnessed by as many as 15,000 fans in attendance.
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic prevented large crowds from being able to attend events, the MMA juggernaut are selling tickets for the PPV, president Dana White confirmed.
“I have been waiting a year for this day to tell you we are back,” White said on social media. “UFC 261 on April 24th, it will be in Jacksonville, Florida, with a full house of fans, full capacity at the VyStar Veteran’s Memorial Arena.
“And you know I’m bringing an incredible card. We have three title fights. The welterweight championship, Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal 2. The women’s flyweight championship, Valentina Shevchenko versus Jessica Andrade. And, the fight everyone has been waiting for, the women’s strawweight championship, Weili Zhang and Rose Namajunas.”
UFC recently ran a three-title card at UFC 259, when Israel Adesanya failed in his quest to become a 'champ-champ' when the middleweight champion challenged light-heavyweight titleholder Jan Blachowicz. Aljamain Sterling won the bantamweight title via DQ against Petr Yan, while Amanda Nunes continued her incredible run as the only women's 'champ-champ' when she ran through Megan Anderson.
The company has had a small number of fans allowed in for January's card headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2, it has been over a year since a large crowd has been in attendance when Adesanya defended his title against Yoel Romero on Mar. 8, 2020.