Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman retains UFC welterweight title
Martial artist Kamaru Usman has again retained his position as the undisputed welterweight champion of UFC after defeating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 in VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville Florida on Sunday.
The Nigerian superstar, in a remarkable two-round knockout match, defeated Masvidal to retain his welterweight belt which has been in his possession since 2019.
U.S.-based Usman reportedly scored the most vicious knockout of 2021, after he dealt Masvidal a massive right-hand punch and a hammerfist to KO him out cold at the point of impact in the second round of the contest.
Usman’s recent victory extends his winning spree in MMA to 18 fights, with 14 straight victories in the UFC.
BBC reports that the bout was a rematch of an earlier meeting that took place at UFC 251 in July 2020 where Masvidal lost out to Usman on the scorecards after five exhausting rounds.
Speaking after extending his winning streak at Jacksonville on Sunday, Usman said he remains the best fighter on the planet at the moment.
“I know with my fundamentals, I am the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet right now,” he said.
“I told everybody, I’m still getting better. The sky’s the limit for me as long as I’m doing this.”
On his part, Masvidal who is suffering the first knockout loss of his 50-fight MMA career felt devastated to have lost the contest in front of his family and friends.
“First time in my career, and it’s in front of all my people, my family and my friends, so it hurts,” he said.
“I’ve never been knocked out in 50 pro fights. Usman showed me something that he didn’t show in the first fight. I didn’t feel his power, and that’s what happens when you get overconfident. I thought we were going to wrestle more.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation
“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.
Heading 1
Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces
“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.
Heading 4
Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story
The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
Heading 2
Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach
Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Health
FG expands cancer funding, local drug production
“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.
Heading 3
Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger
The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.
