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Nigerian UFC sensation Kamaru Usman has beat challenger Jorge Masvidal in round two of their fight to mark the fifth defence of his welterweight title at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
The encounter which marked the first UFC card in front of a full crowd since the outbreak of the COVID-19 saw the Nigerian extend his unbeaten streak to 14 fights. It also proved to be the maiden fight Masvidal was bettered due to strikes in his eight-year UFC run, CompleteSports reports.
Usman (19-1) was dominant throughout in terms of takedowns and top control on the ground.
Unlike their first meeting in 2020, in which Masvidal accepted the fight on late notice and lost a one-sided decision, the 36-year-old slugger had a full training camp prior to the fight.
Usman, 33, countered Masvidal’s outside leg kicks with clean right hands and stiff jabs throughout the opening round.
Although Masvidal remained competent from his back and landed a series of short elbows, the round closed with a big right hand from Usman and a jumping knee from Masvidal before the two rivals exchanged words after the horn and needed to be separated.
Shortly after, things took a much more violent turn. Usman caught Masvidal (35-15) flush with a clean right cross which turned his chin and left him unconscious at 1:02 of Round two.
In his speech after the fight, Usman admitted being nervous before the fight.
He said, “No disrespect, thank you to my man Jorge,” Usman said. “You elevated me and it has been a while since I have been extremely nervous to fight. He elevated me and made me go to the workshop and I had to sharpen my tools tonight. I am still getting better. The sky is the limit for as long as I am doing this.
“I am the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet right now.”
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.