Kamaru Usman STUNS Jorge Masvidal with brutal second round knockout to defend welterweight title at UFC 261 as ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ lets out a scream that he ‘is the BEST pound-for-pound in the world’
- Kamaru Usman successfully defended his UFC welterweight title with a knockout win over Jorge Masvidal
- The two men met on Fight Island nine months ago for the welterweight title but Usman defended his belt
- Usman produced a stunning display and saw the fight waved off after a brutal right hand strike in round two
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Kamaru Usman answered questions over his credentials as he became the first fighter in MMA history to knock Jorge Masvidal out cold with a brutal right hand at UFC 261.
The welterweight champion produced a stunning knockout that is is contention for KO of the year with a violent finish to defend his title belt.
Usman said: ‘Y’all said you wanted violence, you’re welcome. First and foremost, no disrespect, thanks to Jorge. You elevated me and it’s been a while since I’ve been nervous for a fight but I had to go to the workshop and bring all my tools for this fight.
‘I am still getting better all the time and this fight proves it. Coach kept yelling at me to stay with the fundamentals and that’s it. I know I am the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet right now with these fundamentals.’
Kamaru Usman let out at a roar on top of the octagon after producing a devastating knockout of Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261
The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ (right) connected with a strong right hand which sent Masvidal (left) crashing to the canvas
The referee was quick to intervene and wave the fight off as a knockout as Masvidal was in need of urgent medical attention
Usman said he was grateful for Masvidal placing ‘fear’ back inside him again as he produced one of his best performances
There was a reported 15,000 fans in attendance for the showpiece event in Florida and they were stunned at Usman’s finish
Masvidal added in defeat: ‘I’ve never been knocked out in 50 pro fights and Usman brought something he didn’t show in the first fight.
‘That’s what happens when you get overconfident and he won this fair and square.’
Masvidal promised ‘violence’ to the fans descending on Jacksonville, Florida, and there was plenty in this one, just unfortunately for the challenger it was all directed at him.
Usman looked to set the tone early, opening with a pinpoint jab which was acknowledged by Masvidal.
Masvidal looked to respond and flip the sea of momentum as he launched into a flying knee, only to see Usman catch him flush with a right hand.
Masvidal (right) promised violence for the fight and he looked to be aggressive early on as he looked to hurt with leg kicks
The veteran (right) continued to try and take the fight to Usman but the welterweight champion did well to avoid damage
Masvidal’s overconfidence came back to bite him and he was caught multiple times before Usman pulled off the knockout
Masvidal said he had no complaints at the knockout performance as Usman ‘did things he didn’t do in the first fight’
Masvidal took the first fight on a week’s notice and this time, with a full camp, he was convinced he had found weaknesses in Usman’s game.
The 36-year-old continued to push the pace with some hard elbows and solid leg kicks but nothing troubled Usman too significantly in the opening round as both fighters settled into the bout.
Masvidal burst into a laugh early in the second round when Usman missed with a wild swing.
It was perhaps a sign of the overconfidence Masvidal later spoke of because with seconds of his laugh, Masvidal was not seeing the funny side as he was sent crashing to the canvas.
Masvidal was finished as Usman rained a few more punches before the referee stepped in to wave it off. It was a brutal finish and one which left Masvidal with no complaints.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was in attendance at UFC 261 to see Usman’s devastating knockout display