Champions and challengers make weight and confirm title fights at UFC 261

K. Usman (left) and J. Masvidal (right) compete in the main fight of UFC 261. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Everything is set for one of the biggest MMA shows of 2021. At the official weigh-in for the UFC 261, held this Friday (23), in Jacksonville (USA), the six protagonists of the show fulfilled their commitments with the scales and confirmed their title fights. Without any surprises, the organization will present fans with fights for the welterweight titles (up to 77kg), in the men's category; straws (up to 52,1kg.) and flies (up to 56,7kg.), for women. There were no mistakes with the other athletes for this Saturday's show (24).

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Challenger for the welterweight belt, Jorge masvidal he was the first to step on the scale. Surely, 'Jesus das Ruas' set the exact limit for the category.

Minutes after his rival, the champion of the under-77,1kg group. Kamaru Usman also performed. Lighter than his opponent, the Nigerian weighed 76,8kg. and will face the North American for the second time in less than a year.

Leader of the straws since 2019, Weili Zhang is back. More than 12 months after winning a real battle against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the Chinese company will have a new quarry. Before, the athlete guaranteed her weight, weighing 51,9kg.

Former champion of the group led by Zhang, Rose namajunas is willing to regain the throne. The North American weighed the same amount as her opponent, weighing 51,9kg.

Representing Brazil in belt disputes, Jessica Andrade, 'Bate-Estaca', will try to make history in the organization. Seeking her second UFC belt, the former strawweight champion confirmed her weight of 56,4kg. to face a sports icon.

Seeking to maintain its hegemony among the flies, Valentina Shevchenko He went through another weigh-in with peace of mind. The Kyrgyzstani guaranteed the same weight as the Paraná native, with 56,4kg, and is ready for the challenge.

Brazilians successfully weigh themselves

In addition to Bate-Estaca, Brazil will have two more representatives. Both will perform on the preliminary card of the show.

First Tupiniquim to step into the Octagon this weekend, Ariane Sorriso He had no problems reaching the weight established between the straws. At 52,1kg, the São Paulo native confirmed her second fight in the organization.

Smiling Rival, Na Liang, who debuts in Ultimate, was scary, but confirmed the weight. In her first weigh-in, the athlete exceeded the requirement by a few grams, but, after using the dome and taking off her clothes, the Chinese secured 52,6kg, and guaranteed the fight.

Closing the first half of the show, Alex Cowboy back to the octagon. A welterweight representative, the fighter from Três Rios (RJ) made weight without any problems, weighing in at 77,5kg.

Tupiniquim's opponent, the experienced Randy Brown It didn't disappoint either. With the same weight as the Brazilian, the North American will look for another victory in his career.

Check out the athletes' weights for UFC 261

MAIN CARD

Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Kamaru Usman (76,8kg.) x Jorge masvidal (77,1kg.) – Fight for the belt

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Weili Zhang (51,9kg.) x Rose namajunas (51,9kg.) – Fight for the belt

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Valentina Shevchenko (56,4kg.) x Jessica Stacker (56,4kg.) – Fight for the belt

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Uriah Hall (83,9kg.) x Chris Weidman (84,3kg.)

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Anthony Smith (93kg.) x Jimmy crute (93,2kg.)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Welterweight (up to 77kg): Alex Cowboy (77,5kg.) x Randy Brown (77,5kg.)

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Karl Robertson (83,9kg.) x Brendan allen (84,3kg.)

Welterweight (up to 77kg): Dwight Grant (77,1kg.) x Stefan Sekulic (77,5kg.)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Danaa Batgerel (61,6kg.) x Kevin Natividad (61,4kg.)

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Aori Qileng (57,1kg.) x Jeff Molina (57,1kg.)

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Rodrigo vargas (70,3kg.) x Rong Zhu (70,7kg.)

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Ariane Sorriso (52,1kg.) x Na Liang (52,6kg.)

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Tristan connelly (66,2kg.) x pat sabatini (66,2kg.)

*In fights that are not worth belts, the athletes had a pound (454g.) of tolerance over their respective categories