6 Ups And 2 Down's From UFC 251
2. Up: Usman's Domination Over The BMF
It was all too good to be true, and as many predicted Usman ground his way past a very game Jorge Masvidal for twenty-five suffocating minutes.
Despite the detractors criticizing Usman's control heavy style for stinking up the card, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' has to be praised for his utter domination of almost every aspect of the fight. His brilliant gameplan that whittled away Masvidals power till the very end had him zone in on Masvidal's belly with neverending body shots and energy-sapping clinch work.
He looked like a champion who would be around for a long time and now he can focus squarely on his original opponent Gilbert Burns.
Masvidal lost absolutely no stock in the defeat either, stepping up on six days' notice and managing to take the first round of the fight in many people's eyes before the lack of preparation failed him. His near-perfect takedown defense even late into the fight was especially impressive and throwing heat until the end was admirable. He truly showed why he was the BMF champion.
It wasn't the most exciting fight, but it established Kamaru as a dominant force and Jorge as a true fighter's fighter ready to take on any challenge at any time.