UFC 261 has been announced and president Dana White has treated UFC fans to a loaded fight card with crowds returning to a full capacity VyStar Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, after a year hiatus from the sport.
White announced on Twitter that UFC 261 will feature three explosive title fights, including the long-awaited Usman vs. Masvidal 2, Valentina Shevchenko defending her flyweight strap against Jessica Andrade and Zhang Weili putting her strawweight title on the line against a dangerous Rose Namajunas.
White’s announcement broke the news that Kamaru Usman would defend his welterweight championship strap again in the curtain-raiser event against a persistent Jorge Masvidal. The pairs’ July 2020 clash at UFC 251 was behind closed doors giving Masvidal only six days’ notice to prepare against the durable Usman.
The Nigerian-born brawler won the fight, completely nullifying the explosive offense of Masvidal, securing another strap defense. With restrictions easing and the sporting world opening its doors to the public once again, UFC 261’s triple-headed title fight card is certain to get the hordes of MMA acolytes off their seats.
The UFC announced that it will welcome fans back in a mouth-watering UFC 261 on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida, as Kamaru Usman puts his welterweight belt on the line against Jorge Masvidal. Dana White has made it no secret that he has yearned for the return of fans since being strong-armed to put the sport behind closed doors at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
Kamaru Usman
The president has displayed fierce reserves of tenacity, creativity, and determination to stage events this past year. White has carried the torch as the promotion continued staging fight nights long after the vast majority of sports leagues and tournaments were suspended.
The ambitious UFC chief has been constantly criticized throughout the pandemic as he’s voiced controversial remarks surrounding the health pandemic stating “I’ll go anywhere I can sell out the whole arena”. It looks like White has got his wish as UFC 261 will be held in the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, before an expected full crowd of 15,000 fans.
Where and What Time is UFC 261?
UFC 261 will take place on April 24, 2021, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.
UFC 261
