Five reasons to watch UFC 261; this Saturday's event promotes three title fights

K. Usman (left) and J. Masvidal (right) head the UFC 261. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

A historic event for Ultimate. After more than a year without the presence of the public, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company opens its doors and welcomes fans again at a show. To welcome the fans, the organization prepared a spectacle with three title fights. At the UFC 261, which takes place this Saturday (24), in Jacksonville (USA), Kamaru Usman, Weili Zhang e Valentina Shevchenko will try to maintain their titles in the face of Jorge masvidal, Rose namajunas e Jessica Stackerrespectively.

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In addition to the title fights, this weekend's card will bring 10 more fights for spectators. The Brazilian public, in addition to supporting Bate-Estaca, will be attended by Ariane Sorriso e Alex Cowboy, who appear on the preliminary card.

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The confrontation that closes the event will mark the reunion between Kamaru Usman e Jorge masvidal. Less than a year after exchanging forces on 'Ilha da Luta', the combatants exchange forces again. Welterweight champion (up to 77kg), the Nigerian seeks to overwhelm his rival before the fifth round, while the North American wants a different outcome than the first clash.

Back to the Octagon after winning a true battle against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, in March 2020, Weili Zhang is ready for another challenge. This time, the Chinese will also face a former strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg). To maintain her title, the athlete will need to go through Rose namajunas, which promises a busy clash in the co-main fight.

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Brazil will be represented in the first title clash of the night. Former champion in the under-52,1kg division. Jessica Andrade, Bate-Estaca, could make history and win the second belt in his Ultimate career. Now, in the flyweight division (up to 56,7kg), the Paraná native will have a difficult task. In order to reach the absolute top of the group, Tupiniquim needs to overcome the dominant team Valentina Shevchenko, which has never lost in the division.

To get in the mood, our team selected five reasons to follow the UFC 261. Check out:

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1) Usman x Masvidal: Part II

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

Same characters, but different contexts. In July 2020, Kamaru Usman had an appointment scheduled against Gilbert Durinho for the main fight of UFC 251. The Brazilian, however, ended up testing positive for Covid-19 and was forced to leave the event. With less than a week left until the show, Masvidal accepted the challenge of testing himself against the champion.

In the confrontation, Jorge ended up being unable to nullify the Nigerian's strategy. Dominant for five rounds, Usman was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges.

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Less than a year later, Kamaru is seeking his second title defense in 2021. After finally facing – and beating – Durinho, in February, now, the champion has chosen to give Masvidal one more chance, who hasn't fought since the setback for the group leader.

With adequate preparation, 'Jesus das Ruas' wants to prove that he is capable of holding an official belt in the organization. With an aggressive style, the fighter will try to nullify the hard-hitting game of the 'Nigerian Nightmare', which evolves with each challenge.

2) Weili x Namajunas: promise of 'war'

W. Zhang (left) returns to the octagon after more than a year and faces former champion, R. Namajunas (right) Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

After enduring and winning a real battle against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, in March of last season, much is expected from Weili Zhang. Protagonist of one of the best performances in the history of women's MMA, the Chinese will have another tough commitment ahead of her.

In the opposite corner, again a former strawweight champion. After losing the belt to Jessica Stacker No. UFC 237, the North American has found her way back to winning ways and wants to regain her crown in the category.

The two athletes are known for their intensity and movement. Fans, then, can expect plenty of action from both sides.

If he overcomes Namajunas, Zhang will reach his second belt defense.

3) Bate-Estaca faces legend

J. Bate-Estaca (right) tries to make history and dethrone V. Shevchenko (left). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

'Never doubt her!'. This phrase could be on the tip of many Brazilian fans' tongues. Known for her extraordinary physical strength, Jessica Stacker has a new opportunity to make history in Ultimate.

Former strawweight champion, the athlete, who is now in the flyweight division, will try to win her second title with the company, but, as always, her task will not be easy. To win the new belt, the woman from Paraná must overcome the favoritism of the dangerous Valentina Shevchenko, which has never been defeated in the division.

In her third different weight category since arriving in the UFC, Jéssica reached the 56,7kg category. in 2020. Right at its debut, a show. Before Katlyn chookagian, Andrade ignored her opponent's greater reach and emerged victorious with a knockout in the first round. The triumph guaranteed the Brazilian the chance to challenge the champion.

Flyweight champion since 2018, Shevchenko makes her fifth belt defense. Executioner of Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn chookagian, the Kyrgyzstanis coming off a victory over the also Brazilian, Jennifer maia, in November 2020. Now, the fighter seeks to remain at the top of the category and establish herself as one of the greatest representatives of women's MMA of all time.

4) More Brazil

A. Cowboy (left) and A. Sorriso (right) represent Brazil on the preliminary card of the UFC 261. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

If there are title fights on the main card, Brazilians have plenty of reasons to watch the preliminary. In total, the country will have two representatives, who promise aggressive fights against their opponents.

In the first fight of the night, Ariane Sorriso tries his first victory for the organization. Defeated in her debut, the São Paulo native wants to show the public her main quality: striking. The athlete will face the debutante Na Liang and is looking for the ninth knockout in his professional MMA career.

Old acquaintance of the Tupiniquins, Alex Cowboy is back. Experiencing an unstable moment in the company, the fighter from Três Rios (RJ) seeks to recover from the defeat suffered in his last challenge, in October 2020. This weekend, the fighter will face the experienced Randy Brown, in the clash that ends the first half of the show.

5) The return of the fans

The public returns to Ultimate events after more than a year. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter ufc

It took a while, but it arrived. More than a year after Ultimate's gates closed to public events, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fans are back.

Ready to receive an enthusiastic audience, Jacksonville, in the United States, was the city chosen for the show. Tickets for the show went on sale on March 26, and within minutes, UFC president Dana White reported that tickets sold out in a matter of minutes.

The expectation is for a full house at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. According to the agent, 15 thousand spectators will be present. This way, those watching from home will be able to miss the shouts of encouragement to the athletes who share the Octagon.