Report: Usman, Masvidal travel to Las Vegas with UFC 251 on tap

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and potential challenger Jorge Masvidal are flying to Las Vegas, where fighters on the UFC 251 card are being transported to Abu Dhabi, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

The UFC reportedly accelerated negotiations with Masvidal on Saturday after initial title challenger Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19.

Masvidal previously turned down a championship fight for financial reasons. The 35-year-old hasn't seen action since defeating Nate Diaz in November 2019.

Upon arrival in Las Vegas, Usman and Masvidal will both need to take COVID-19 tests and quarantine while awaiting the results before they can travel to "Fight Island." UFC 251 takes place in six days in Abu Dhabi, which carries an 11-hour time difference relative to Las Vegas.

UFC 251 will also include Alexander Volkanovski defending the featherweight crown against Max Holloway. Jose Aldo will face Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight belt.