Jorge Masvidal (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following reports that Jorge Masvidal would fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251, provided he tests negative for COVID-19, the card’s new main event has been announced.

Masvidal has agreed to face the welterweight champ on just days notice. Usman’s original opponent, Gilbert Burns, recently withdrew from the July 11th event after testing positive for the coronavirus.

According to reports, Masvidal has tested negative for COVID-19 and is en route to Abu Dhabi, were UFC 251 is being held. In a follow-up appearance on SportsCenter, UFC President Dana White relayed Masvidal and his team will continue to be tested (quote via MMA Junkie).

“Them and everyone around them has to test negative for the coronavirus, and then we get on a plane, and we fly to Abu Dhabi, and we have to continue to test negative for the coronavirus for the fight to happen.”

For some time, Masvidal was expected to fight Usman next. But, negotiations for the fight did not go well, and ‘Gamebred’ publicly questioned the promotion’s compensation model.

The 35-year-old Masvidal (35-13) hasn’t fought since November, when he recorded a TKO win (due to doctor stoppage) over Nate Diaz.

The 33-year-old Usman (16-1) stopped Colby Covington in his last bout, which took place in December.