Best PPV Moments in Jacksonville

For Kamaru Usman’s second title defense, he was originally set to defend his welterweight championship against Gilbert Burns. However, it was later reported that Burns had tested positive for COVID-19. On a week’s notice, Jorge Masvidal accepted the fight against Usman. The champion would end up retaining his title, winning the bout by unanimous decision. A rematch between the pair was immediately scheduled to headline UFC 261.

Watch Usman End His Rivalry Against Masvidal On UFC Fight Pass

This time, Masvidal would have a full training camp to prepare for the champ. As for Usman, it was another chance to finally put an end to one of his rivalries. This time, the champ didn’t need the full 25 minutes. Early into the first round, Usman was finding success with the right hand. His striking had clearly improved since the last time the pair met.

In the second round, Usman would find his opening and land a clean straight right to the chin of Masvidal. When the punch landed, Masvidal crashed to canvas and the fight was over. For his fifth title defense, Usman ended his rivalry with Masvidal in spectacular fashion. 

Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik

After losing her UFC strawweight championship and avenging her loss against Jéssica Andrade, Rose Namajunas had done enough to challenge champion Zhang Weili for the 115-pound title. This would be Weili’s second defense as champion, as she had just beaten former strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk in what many deemed to be the Fight of the Year.

Watch Namajunas Reclaim Her Title On UFC Fight Pass

At UFC 261, Namajunas would get the opportunity to reclaim the championship belt she lost a two years prior. In the first round, the Wisconsin-born fighter landed a kick flush on the face of Weili. The champion collapsed to the canvas and was unable to protect herself, forcing the referee to call an end to the contest. Rose Namajunas made history that night by becoming the first woman in UFC history to regain a championship title after losing it.

Justin Gaethje vs Tony Ferguson

Watch Gaethje Win The Interim Championship On UFC Fight Pass

Ever since joining the UFC in 2017, Justin Gaethje has become a must-watch fighter. Always delivering unforgettable moments, the Coloradan doesn’t know how to have a boring fight. Nor did his opponent for UFC 249, Tony Ferguson. Originally, UFC 249 saw a different main event, as the long-awaited bout between Ferguson and lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was initially supposed to headline at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. COVID-19 scrapped those plans, as Nurmagomedov had no way of getting to the States due to the worldwide travel ban. As a result, Gaethje stepped in to fight Ferguson for the interim UFC lightweight championship.

Gaethje was having the performance of his life against Ferguson. On the scorecards, Gaethje was winning every round decisively. With his relentless pace and powerful striking, Gaethje didn’t plan to leave the bout in the hands of the judges. In the fifth round, Gaethje's pace didn’t lessen one bit. Ferguson had accumulated so much damage over five rounds, and after being stunned with another combination, referee Herb Dean had seen enough and called an end to the bout. When UFC President Dana White wrapped the interim championship around Gaethje's waist, Gaethje took the belt off and threw it on the canvas. Gaethje's then stated, “I’ll wait for the real one.”

Valentina Shevchenko vs Jessica Andrade

Featured before the co-main event of UFC 261, Valentina Shevchenko defended her UFC flyweight championship against Jessica Andrade. After a long run and winning the championship in the 115-pound division, Andrade decided to make the move up in weight to challenge Shevchenko. Shevchenko had the size advantage, but the biggest question was how the champion would react to the power of Andrade.

Watch Shevchenko’s Fifth Title Defense On UFC Fight Pass

In the first round, Shevchenko relied heavily on her wrestling and grappling, successfully getting Andrade to the ground five times. Finding great success taking Andrade down, Shevchenko stuck with that game plan in the second round. When Shevchenko got Andrade back on the ground, she secured a crucifix from top position, pinning Andrade’s shoulders to the canvas. With no way out, the champion unloaded elbows until referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in. Ever since winning the title, Shevchenko has dominated her division with six successful defenses. Shevchenko will return to defend her title at UFC 275 against Tailia Santos.

Calvin Kattar vs Jeremy Stephens

At UFC 249, rising featherweight contender Calvin Kattar took on Jeremy Stephens in an epic clash. Kattar was known for his boxing, and Stephens for his power and grit, so this fight had all the makings to steal the show.

It was evident early on in the bout that the game plan of Stephens was to attack the legs of Kattar. As for Kattar, he took his time finding his range, landing clean combinations on “Lil’ Heathen”. Stephens continued to land heavy leg kicks, taking advantage of Kattar’s slow starting pace. Once Kattar found his groove, he would respond to Stephens’ hard kicks with combinations of his own.

Watch Kattar’s Spectacular Elbow KO On UFC Fight Pass

With no intention to take the action to the ground from either man, the two were relentless with their striking. Kattar would catch Stephens with a fast and clean elbow that landed flush on the jaw. Following up with the left elbow on the ground, Stephens was dazed and cut. Kattar got that signature win he was looking for, sending a message to his division that he was a real contender for the title. 

Don't miss a single round of UFC 273: Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie live from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, April 9 on ESPN+. The Early Prelims will air at 6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, followed by the Prelims beginning at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT. Main card begins at 10pm ET/7pm PT.