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Usman, Masvidal agree to UFC 251 title fight

Steven Ryan / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal have agreed to a fight for the welterweight championship at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi, the organization announced on Sunday night.

The bout became official after Masvidal passed his COVID-19 test, allowing him to receive clearance for travel to the event, reports Ariel Helwani of ESPN.

Both combatants flew into Las Vegas on Sunday, where fighters on the UFC 251 card are being transported to Abu Dhabi. Coronavirus tests are administered in Las Vegas, and fighters must quarantine while awaiting results.

Usman was initially slated to defend his belt against Gilbert Burns, but the challenger had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.

When Burns dropped out, the UFC pivoted to Masvidal, who previously turned down the match for financial reasons. Negotiations with Masvidal accelerated Saturday and wrapped up Sunday, just six days before UFC 251.

Masvidal, 35, last fought in November, defeating Nate Diaz. The win bolstered a stock that had already risen tremendously since his five-second knockout of Ben Askren one year ago. "Gamebred" is riding a three-fight win streak that began with a knockout of Darren Till.

Usman is coming off a thrilling fifth-round TKO of Colby Covington in December and is looking to defend his championship for the second time. "The Nigerian Nightmare" owns a 16-1 career record, with his lone loss coming in his second professional fight back in 2013.

UFC 251 also includes championship bouts at featherweight (Alexander Volkanovski versus Max Holloway) and bantamweight (Jose Aldo versus Petr Yan).

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