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UFC 251 start time: When is Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal on Fight Island?

Jorge Masvidal will face Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title on short notice: Getty Images
Jorge Masvidal will face Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title on short notice: Getty Images

UFC 251 is live from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi this weekend, and the first ‘Fight Island’ event is stacked with three world title fights – most notably the main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal.

Fan favourite Masvidal is stepping in to challenge welterweight champion Usman on less than a week’s notice after the withdrawal of Gilbert Burns with coronavirus, while the co-main sees Alexander Volkanovski defend his featherweight title against Max Holloway, the man he dethroned in December.

The vacant men’s bantamweight championship is also on the line, with Russia’s Petr Yan competing against former featherweight king Jose Aldo.

There is also a rematch between former women’s strawweight champions Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade, both of whom are looking to re-establish themselves as top contenders in the division.

Paige VanZant is also in action against Amanda Ribas. Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 251:

What time does the event start in the UK?

The main card starts at 3am BST on Sunday. The preliminary card begins at 1am BST, and the early prelims get underway at 11.30pm BST on Saturday.

Usman and Masvidal will likely make their ring walks for the main event at around 5am BST on Sunday.

How can I watch it?

The main card and prelims will air on BT Sport 1. Both of these parts of the show can also be streamed on the BT Sport app.

In order to watch the early prelims, viewers will need a UFC Fight Pass, with which subscribers can also watch the main card and prelims.

The Independent will also be providing live updates.

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (Getty Images)
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (Getty Images)

Who is going to win?

Champion Usman (16-1) is on a 15-fight win streak and is favoured in the main event, in part due to Masvidal accepting the fight on late notice.

However, Masvidal (35-13) went 3-0 in 2019, so he is in great form. He was also already training for a potential bout with Usman before this week’s developments, so he should not be counted out.

What’s the full card?

Main card

Kamaru Usman (C) vs Jorge Masvidal (welterweight)

Max Holloway vs Alexander Volkanovski (C) (featherweight)

Jose Aldo vs Petr Yan (vacant bantamweight title)

Rose Namajunas vs Jessica Andrade (women’s strawweight)

Paige VanZant vs Amanda Ribas (women’s flyweight)

Prelims

Volkan Oezdemir vs Jiri Prochazka (light heavyweight)

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs Muslim Salikhov (welterweight)

Makwan Amirkhani vs Mounir Lazzez (featherweight)

Leonardo Santos vs Roman Bogatov (lightweight)

Early prelims

Marcin Tybura vs Alexandr Romanov (heavyweight)

Raulian Paiva vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov (flyweight)

Karol Rosa vs Vanessa Melo (women’s bantamweight)

Martin Day vs Davey Grant (bantamweight)

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