UFC 251: Kamaru Usman ridicules bettor who placed US$200,000 on Jorge Masvidal – ‘whoops’
- News of huge wager emerged just before main event on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, with bettor standing to make US$600,000 payout
- ‘If you gonna bet money like that, you probably don't need it,’ Usman says – ‘he should have done a little bit of research’
As Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman were in the process of walking out for Sunday’s UFC 251 main event on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, an interest tweet flashed up on broadcast.
“A US$200,000 bet was placed on Masvidal at +230 against Kamaru Usman in tonight's welterweight title fight. If Masvidal were to pull off the upset, the total payout for the wager would be US$660,000,” wrote Chris Maathuis of CBS-affiliated television station KLAS-TV. “Masvidal is now priced at +220 at William Hill, while Usman is -260.”
Welterweight champ Usman proceeded to impose his will on Masvidal en route to a dominant unanimous decision, and “The Nigerian Nightmare” enjoyed getting the last laugh.
Told about the wager at the post-event press conference, he said simply: “Whoops.”
“If you gonna bet money like that, you probably don't need it,” Usman added. “He should have done a little bit of research and seen my track record and seen what I've done to every one of my opponents.”
The American (17-1) is on a 12-fight win streak, tying retired UFC legend Georges St-Pierre in the division.
UFC 251: Masvidal insists he has ‘formula’ to win Usman rematch
“That's how Georges got there,” Usman said. “Dominate a guy, take them down, beat them up, utilise every aspect of mixed martial arts. We're both tied for most consecutive wins.
“That's a fight that I look at and love [vs St-Pierre]. I want a fight like that and to showcase all my skills and have him showcase his skills. That's a huge fight and a lot of people want to see it.”
Usman has torn through the 179-pound division since joining the UFC five years ago, claiming the belt from Tyron Woodley in dominant fashion in March 2019, before getting a fifth-round TKO against Colby Covington at UFC 245 for his first title defence.
“He's a tough guy, I don't think he lost any fans tonight,” Usman said of Masvidal. “It just showed he's still a little bit behind. But he's still very, very dangerous. I'm sure a lot of people want to see him fight the guy that I fought last. I know I would.
“See, that's the tricky thing, styles make fights and they trained together. Sharing the Octagon with both men, and they're both tough in different ways, I think Masvidal has evolved a little bit. I didn't give him credit for that. Honestly, I can't pick a winner.”
