The leadup to Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 for UFC 261 felt like the leadup to its matchmaking: lukewarm. It wasn’t the sexiest fight to make at welterweight. If anything, it felt like a step backwards for a champion who had nothing but momentum on his side. In spite of that, Usman took a crushing step forward.
That Kamaru would win was predictable enough. BE was unanimous in picking Usman. It was the ‘how’ that made the knockout win so impressive. Dominating the first round with clean fundamentals and a bit of spice, Usman capped the first round off with his trademark clinch and matwork, and got out of the first round with all the momentum on his side.