The Nigerian Nightmare dominated the fight as he defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46), equalling former champion Georges St. Pierre’s record of 12 straight wins at welterweight

Masvidal got off to a quick start in the opening round, throwing a series of fast strikes and taking down Usman. But Usman took over the clash from the second round on, delivering foot stomps, body shots, and shoulder strikes as he dominated the fight till the last round.

The fight between Usman and Masvidal was arranged only in the past eight days after Usman’s original opponent, Gilbert Burns, tested positive for the coronavirus and pulled out from the fight.

After the fight, the undefeated champion Usman said “Gamebred is the biggest, baddest dude out there right now, so i had to switch gears preparing for him on six days notice. All these guys are preparing for one guy and that’s me, at the top of the mountain. I trained for Gilbert, i had a different game plan. Gamebred is tough, he landed some elbows from the bottom and he didn’t quit. I knew Jorge is tough, I’ve always said it minus all the trash-talking and all the things going on, Jorge is a tough guy and I give him credit for that. I just level better. I have more tools in the toolbox and when I need to I can pull them out and use them”

Usman outboxed Covington on the feet for nearly five rounds of an epic two-way duel before finishing him via fifth-round TKO to defend his 170-pound title at UFC 245. Covington fought with a broken jaw in Round 3 and finished the fight a bloody and swollen mess after being dropped twice in the final round.

Usman said after the fight “This one is not just for me but for the whole entire world right now. I heard all week, all month since the fight got signed that Colby was in my head and this or that. I’m telling you right now the reason I’m the best in the world is because my mind is stronger than anyone in the division”