Jorge Masvidal gets knocked out for the first time in his career by Kamaru Usman in front of a full house at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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The two fighters headlined for the second time in their career against each other at UFC 261 and things went Usman’s way this time as well. Initially, the fight seemed very open with both the fighters landing multiple strikes on each other. Masvidal, who is known for his leg kicks kept landing them on Usman from both sides but was countered by the Nigerian’s jab which landed on Masvidal’s face and chest. Even though Usman’s punches did more damage, it was Masvidal who landed more strikes and was perhaps ahead in the fight, if the decision went to the judges. The second round started the same way the first one ended, Masvidal kept landing his leg kicks, but then things changed within seconds after both the fighters dodged each other’s punches. Usman shocked the world! A big right from the Nigerian Nightmare put Masvidal into the canvas and was followed by a couple of hammer fists before the referee Herb Dean called the fight off to declare Usman as the winner. This victory marked Usman’s eighteenth straight victory and the loss for Jorge meant his second straight defeat (both coming against Usman) and it was the first time in history that a fighter had knocked out Jorge Masvidal inside the Octagon – such was the statement from Kamaru Usman!
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After the contest, Jorge Masvidal displayed pure class in defeat as he said, “Usman showed me something that he didn’t show me in the first fight. I didn’t feel his power. And that is what happens when you get overconfident, man. I thought we were going to wrestle more. I was ready to wrestle for twenty-five minutes. All the props to him in the world. He caught me by surprise. He’s got my number, man. There is nothing I can say but, he won fair and square. God bless him, man.”
“You elevated me,” Usman said about Masvidal. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been nervous for fights. He made me go to the workshop and sharpen my tools to deliver a performance like that. I’m still getting better.”
[Image Credit: ESPN MMA]
Shashank Iyer