Round 1 – Carnelossi walks forward but immediately eats a right hand and drops. She pops back up quickly, and they start swinging. Scramble for position as they punch, and Na able to work to top position. Half-guard underneath for Carnelossi. She tries to buck and roll. Butterfly guard creates some space, and she’s able to stand. They restart quickly. Strikes being traded in the pocket. Na again pushes forward and wraps the body, throwing the action to the floor. Full guard for Carnelossi. She controls the arms. Na lifts her and slams her to the canvas, but she doesn’t let go of the limbs. Carnelossi turns for the arm. Not there. Na tries the same and also misses. Now it’s Carnelossi on top. Na turns her hips and gets on the armbar gain, but Carnelossi able to pull free after a tense moment. Na looks for the arm again, but it’s not there. Carnelossi able to sneak in a few punches and then look for the back. Na scrambles free and lands some big punches. Carnelossi hits a sweep to top. Constant back-and-forth work. Carnelossi on top and punching away at the end. Crazy action. MMA Junkie gives it to Carnelossi, 10-9. Na has to be helped to her corner. She may be done.

Round 2 – Na does get to her feet to start the round. Carnelossi again walks forward to meet her. They start winging punches. Na with the head-and-arm throw to get the action to the floor. Carnelossi able to again sweep and land in top position, where she starts striking. Na’s right arm trapped. Carnelossi punching away. Referee wants Na to fight back. She gets the right arm free, but she’s taking punches, and this fight is called off.

BetMGM Odds: Carnelossi -225, Na +180
Result: Ariane Carnelossi def. Liang Na via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:28
Photos: Ariane Carnelossi def. Na Liang at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Ariane Carnelossi (13-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Liang Na (15-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: James Folsom

Round 1 – Molina on the outside and misses a low kick. Qileng rushes forward with punches but comes up empty. Qileng holding the center, and he wants to press. He fires and overhand right. Molina with a low kick, and Qileng with a straight right down the middle. Qileng setting the tone early, and he punches his way into a clinch. Crowd lets them know pretty quick they want action, and the two break apart and start trading. Qileng pushes inside shortly after and lifts Molina and slams him to the canvas. Molina turns to stand, and Qileng tries to slip around to his back. Molina stands and uses the cage to peel him off. He turns inside, but Qileng fires a knee up the middle. Qileng looks again for the takedown, but Molina able to stay upright and turn to the outside. Nothing there, so they break away and reset. Molina high kick blocked. Punches traded at the end, and MMA Junkie gives the first to Qileng, 10-9.

Round 2 – Quick start again. Qileng in the center and is the aggressor. He drives inside and briefly slips around to the back on a defended takedown before Molina turns and escapes. As they reset, it remains Qileng who is setting the tone. Molina content to try and counter for the moment. He lands two crisp punches, but Qileng walks through it. Qileng scores with a right hand. Molina counters shortly after, and Qileng hits the deck. He’s quick to get back up and punch away, and he lands a few clean shots. Battle on the feet here. Big shots landing. Qileng misses a spinning elbow. Molina is circling to his left and countering, but that’s exposing him to the big right, as well. Flurry at the end, and another Molina right sends Qileng tumbling to the canvas. He follows, but the horn sounds before he can finish up. MMA Junkie gives it to Molina, 10-9.

Round 3 – Qileng out quickly and looking to engage. Molina still ready to counter. Both men landing in this action-packed contest. Qileng changes levels and scores a quick takedown, but Molina is immediately back on the feet. Qileng still the one working from the center and pressing the action. Qileng’s left eye is busted up. He’s relentless in his forward movement. Molina moves to the center of the cage, but Qileng backs him to the fence again. Molina really countering well. He’s pumping his jab as he retreats. Right hand scores, and Qileng is stunned. Molina’s volume paying off. Qileng tough as can be, and he wants a war. They’re in the center and trading, but Qileng eventually retreats a few steps. It’s now Molina on the front foot. He’s patiently picking his shots. Qileng digs in and lands a right hand. He’s trying to answer, but he stumbles a bit. Molina’s non-stop work paying off. Qileng scores with another right. He’s not going away in the final minute. Two more punches land for Molina. They tee off at the very end, and Qileng lands clean. Molina stumbles a bit in that final flurry, but he collects himself. Heck of a fight. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Molina, 10-9, and awards him the fight 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Qileng -110, Molina -110
Result: Jeff Molina def. Aori Qileng via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Photos: Jeff Molina def. Qileng Aori at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Aori Qileng (18-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jeff Molina (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Josh Rutgers
Judging: Barry Luxenberg (29-28, giving Molina rounds 2 and 3), Sal D’Aamto (29-28, giving Molina rounds 2 and 3), Tony Weeks (29-27, giving Molina rounds 2 and 3, with a 10-8 in round 3)

Round 1 – Vargas with a straight left to open, and then a high kick that’s blocked. Zhu looks comfortable as they set up in the pocket, and he keeps the right hand at the chin. Still, Vargas is the busier fighter to start. Vargas working the legs a bit, and he’s trying to find a home for the big left. Zhu lands a straight right. It’s back and forth work on the feet. Vargas adding in high kicks but has yet to land with that. He does find success when he goes to the legs. Zhu slipping some punches and finding the counter, but he’s also taking some shots, as well. Vargas also working the body. Into the final minute. Zhu showboating a bit, asking for his opponent to brawl. Vargas stays composed, and he’s landing. They trade at the bell and stand and smile at each other. Good round. MMA Junkie leans toward Vargas, 10-9.

Round 2 – Vargas continues to chop at the legs. Zhu catches a kick and is able to trip the action to the canvas. He’s on top, and Vargas grabs the guillotine. He wraps up full guard. Zhu trying to post on his head. Vargas leans to the right. He’s squeezing hard. Zhu grimacing a bit, but he doesn’t want to tap. Vargas adjusts his grip and arches his back, but he can’t get the finish. Vargas works to a knee but doesn’t let go of the neck. Zhu lifts him and slams him to the canvas, but he’s right back in the guillotine. It’s still not there, and Vargas has to let go. When he does, Zhu scrambles to the back of a kneeling opponents. Vargas bucks just as Zhu tries to take the back, and that sees Zhu slide over the top. He tries to adjust and keep his position, but it’s not there. He’s on his back now. Zhu has to settle for guard. Final minute. Zhu nearly hits a sweep on a bridge, but Vargas stands. They start in the clinch, and Vargas drives the action to the cage. Zhu battles off in the final seconds. Zhu throws a kick to the body that’s blocked. He shoots inside, but they end there. MMA Junkie gives the round to Vargas, 10-9.

Round 3 – Zhu out quickly and looking to make something happen. Vargas covers well and is patient on the outside. Zhu with the jab, but Vargas slips the right behind it. Zhu the aggressor. Right hand scores. Another lands. Vargas definitely seems to have lost some zip. Zhu setting up in front of him and is able to evade his opponent’s attacks. One lands, but Zhu postures and dusts off his shoulder before waving Vargas in for more. Vargas obliges, and a counter right drops him briefly to a knee. Two minutes left. Zhu has the momentum. He’s pressing, but Vargas is swinging back, so get cna’t go with no concern at all. Zhu’s left eye wearing some damage. He’s pressing forward. Vargas circling, and Zhu points to the canvas and tells him to stand and trade. Zhu misses a big uppercut. A right hand does land. Late takedown for Zhu. Vargas sweeps as they land, but Zhu rolls again and ends on top. Good fight. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Zhu, 10-9, but awards the fight to Vargas, 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Zhu -250, Vargas +200
Result: Kazula Vargas def. Rong Zhu via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Kazula Vargas def. Rong Zhu at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Kazula Vargas (12-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Rong Zhu (17-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Troy Wincapaw (30-26, with a 10-8 in round 1), Eric Colon (29-28, giving Vargas rounds 1 and 2), Howard Reinbach (29-28, giving Vargas rounds 1 and 2)

Round 1 – Batgerel in the center, and Natividad moving to his right. He misses on an early right hand but lands with a second. Batgerel with a front kick that lands. Natividad pushes forward and gets clipped with a left hook. He drops, and Batgerel jumps on top. He’s got chance to finish, and he punches away. Hammerfists land, and Herb Dean has to wave it off.

BetMGM Odds: Batgerel -190, Natividad +160
Result: Danaa Batgerel def. Kevin Natividad via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:50
Recap: Danaa Batgerel floors Kevin Natividad with perfect check left hook
Photos: Danaa Batgerel def. Kevin Natividad at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Danaa Batgerel (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Kevin Natividad (9-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Round 1 – Sabatini on the outside to start. He kicks low. Connelly staying right in front of him as he moves laterally. Sabatini right hand lands clean, and Connelly falls back. Sabatini hops on top, but Connelly recovers well and holds tight. Half-guard for Connelly. Shoulder pressure from Connelly, and he drives in a right hand. Connelly tries to bridge, but it’s not there. Connelly sits up, and Sabatini thinks guillotine but lets it go. Sabatini trying to advance out of the half-guard, but Connelly holding tight. Short punches from the top. Couple come from the bottom, as well. Sabatini finally able to work the leg free and step over to mount. Connelly instantly turns and exposes his back. Sabatini a little high, but he’s able to roll to the side while locking in the figure-four. Sabatini hunting for the choke. Connelly controlling the wrists and defending well. Sabatini still on the back in the final minute. He tries to squeeze on the chin, but it’s not there. Connelly trying to shift his hips, but he’s stuck. Sabatini finishes on the back, and MMA Junkie gives him the round, 10-9.

Round 2 – Sabatini out quickly with punches and a leaping front kick. Connelly digs in and fires a big right that misses. Sabatini on the outside again. He slips under a right hand and drives the action to the canvas. Connelly tries to sit up and control the neck, but drives him back to the canvas and scores with a few quick punches. Sabatini postures and has to slip past a few big upkicks to settle again, but he’s able to advance to side control. Pressure from the top. Connelly drives a few knees to the body while on his back. Sabatini tries to step to side control. Connelly regains half-guard, but not for long. Sabatini slips past it again and tries to set up a few submissions that Connelly is able to pull free from. Connelly tries to escape, but Sabatini again on his back. Bodylock is in. Connelly trying to work free. Sabatini nearly has the arm-triangle, but Connelly pulls back just in time. Connelly doing everything he can to work free, but Sabatini is latched to his back. Connelly defending all the submissions well, though. Round ends, and MMA Junkie gives it again to Sabatini, 10-9.

Round 3 – Connelly looking to engage, but he’s immediately defending a takedown. He’s able to hop on one leg and stay free. He wants to strike. Sabatini again thinks takedown, but Connelly able to defend it. Grinding work in the clinch. Sabatini gets to the outside. Connelly grabs his neck as they defend against the cage. Sabatini turns to the outside. Connelly with a few knees inside, and they continue to turn back and forth and jockey for position. Crowd getting a little restless. Referee warns the fighters to work. Sabatini pulls free and peppers the body before landing one upstairs and backing away. He’s again shifting laterally on the outside. Connelly trying to press. He scores with a right hand. Sabatini shoots from distance, but Connelly sprawls well, and they wind up standing back in the clinch. Connelly pressing in from the outside. They break apart with a little more than a minute. Sabatini lands a right hand. He slips under a punch but can’t get the takedown. In the clinch, it’s Connelly that scores a trip and takes top position in the finals seconds. Sabatini turns for a leg, but he can’t get it before time expires. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Connelly, 10-9, but awards the fight to Sabatini, 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Sabatini -250, Connelly +210
Result: Pat Sabatini def. Tristan Connelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Pat Sabatini def. Tristan Connelly at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Tristan Connelly (14-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Pat Sabatini (14-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Josh Rutgers
Judging: Chris Lee (30-27), Eric Colon (29-28, giving Sabatini rounds 1 and 2), Troy Wincapaw (29-28, giving Sabatini rounds 1 and 2)

Round 1 – Allen with a high kick that’s blocked to start, and Roberson fires one right back. Allen works the legs, and they exchange some powerful punches inside. Good pace to start. Roberson with several kicks that are blocked, but he’s staying busy. Allen able to work inside, and he wraps the body and drives the action to the canvas. Excellent takedown, and Roberson forced to take half-guard. Roberson sits up against the acage, but Allen steps over the legs and has him trapped. As he looks to work from there, Roberson able to scramble to his feet, but Allen stays with him and trips the action to the canvas once again. Roberson again in half-guard. Allen looking to advance, but he’s struggling. As time winds down, he turns for the leg. Roberson tries to do the same, but Allen is the one who gets the tap from the heel hook as Roberson screams out in pain. He stands after the fight but is limping pretty badly before siting down against the fence.

BetMGM Odds: Allen -160, Roberson +135
Result: Brendan Allen def. Karl Roberson via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 4:55
Recap: Brendan Allen cranks Karl Roberson’s leg, gets painful submission at UFC 261
Photos: Brendan Allen def. Karl Roberson at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Brendan Allen (16-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Karl Roberson (9-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1 – Sekulic holding the center as Grant stays busy on the outside, moving around and looking for options. Both men feeling out the range a bit. Sekulic misses on a high kick. He’s pressing a bit, but Grant staying just out of range. Grant does go to the body a few times, but he’s yet to really land clean. They do trade kicks to the body. Grant finally lands clean with two crisp punches. Sekulic answers shortly after with a flying knee. Lead hook scores for Grant. Both men having some moments, but neither really sustaining anything. Sekulic dives forward in the final 30 seconds and is able to drag the action to the floor. Grant works up just before the bell. MMA Junkie gives the first to Sekulic, 10-9.

Round 2 – Grant out quickly, but Sekulic there to meet him and give him something to think about. Sekulic rushes in for a takedown, but Grant stands him up and lands a right hand as they break apart. Pace picks up a little, with both men firing big shots. Grant leans clean, but Sekulic just walks through it. Grant again with a right hand over the top, but he pulls back before the counter. Both men struggling to really get sustained offense going. Grant misses a huge left hand. Sekulic changes levels and is able to wrap the body and drag the action to the canvas. Grant takes half-guard underneath. He grabs the neck and creates a little scramble and is able to work back to the feet. Sekulic trying to press forward with strikes, and he ends up in the clinch and drives Grant to the fence again. Round ends there, and MMA Junkie gives it to Sekulic, 10-9.

Round 3 – Grant comes out seemingly wanting to be a little busier, but he struggles to find the mark. Grant slips under a right hand and is able to wrap the body and score the takedown. However, he doesn’t necessarily want to stay there, so he backs away, and we reset on the feet. Grant still finding the body here and there, but he’s really not finding any real sustained offense. Sekulic rushes forward and changes levels. He gets the takedown again, but Grant able to turn quickly to his knees and stand, and we reset again. Two minutes remains. Punches traded, and Sekulic shoots, but Grant stands him up. Grant with a right hand that scores. Crowd a little restless here. Jab for Sekulic, but Grant with a right hand counter. Sekulic with a crisp left. Grant is staggered. Sekulic rushes forward with a flying knee. Not there, but he latches on to a guillotine as they hit the deck. Grant trapped, and Sekulic tries to squeeze but can’t get it done before the bell. Great sequence to finish. MMA Junkie gives it to Sekulic, 10-9, and awards him the fight 30-27.

BetMGM Odds: Grant -225, Sekulic +185
Result: Dwight Grant def. Stefan Sekulic via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Dwight Grant def. Stefan Sekulic at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Dwight Grant (11-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Stefan Sekulic (12-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: James Folsom
Judging: Derek Cleary (28-29, giving Sekulic rounds 2 and 3), Howard Reichbach (29-28, giving Grant rounds 1 and 2), Chris Lee (29-28, giving Grant rounds 1 and 2)

Round 1 – The fighters go to the center of the cage before the opening bell and have to be pushed back to their corners. Brown opens with a long jab and a sharp low kick. Oliveira smiles. Oliveira light on his feet and tries to move past the long reach of his opponent. Low kicks traded, and Brown lands low, so we take a quick break. Back to action. Oliveira trying to press but gets tagged with a left. Chants of “F*ck Jake Paul” erupt in the crowd. In the cage, Brown lands a big right hand that sends Oliveira to the floor. Brown follows, and he tries to take the back as Oliveira scrambles up to his feet. Oliveira in a dangerous spot. Brown standing, but he gets the left arm around the neck and squeezes. Oliveira grimacing. Brown laces the leg and pulls trips the action to the canvas.He’s on his back and continues to squeeze, and Oliveira has to tap.

BetMGM Odds: Brown -155, Oliveira +130
Result: Randy Brown def. Alex Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:50
Recap: Randy Brown taps Alex Oliveira with one-armed rear-naked choke
Photos: Randy Brown def. Alex Oliveira at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Randy Brown (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC), Alex Oliveira (22-10-1 MMA, 11-8 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1 – Smith with a low stance as they engage. Crute in the center but patient to start. Smith moving laterally on the outside. Kicks traded to the body. Crute with a low kick. Jabs traded. Crute again to the leg. More chants of “F*ck Jake Paul” in the crowd. Tense work in the cage. Crute with his guard high. Smith trying to work the jab. He lands a pair that pop Crute’s head back. Crute with some damage under the right eye. Smith continues to work the jab. Crute tags the leg again. Right hand from Smith. Crute with a left. Smith moving very well and continues to land the jab at will. Smith kicks the leg, and Crute takes a staep on it and falls over. Smith rushes forward, but Crute drives into him for a takedown. Wow. Crute trying to keep him down. Smith kneeling and trying to work up. He gets up, but Crute drives through him again for another takedown. Crute ends up on top. Bell sounds, and he can’t stand firm. He wobbles to the corner. MMA Junkie gives it to Smith, 10-9.

Round 2 – Crute trying to show referee Keith Peterson that he can walk, but he simply can’t stay upright. Fight is waved off.

BetMGM Odds: Crute -200, Smith +165
Result: Anthony Smith def. Jimmy Crute via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
Recap: Anthony Smith kick kills Jimmy Crute’s leg, fight stopped between rounds
Photos: Anthony Smith def. Jimmy Crute at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Jimmy Crute (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Anthony Smith (35-16 MMA, 10-6 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1 – Weidman fakes a few level changes to start and then throws a low kick. He instantly reels back and hits the ground. Leg is broken. Awful. Medical staff stabilizes the limb in the cage and quickly stretchers him away. Terrible scene.

BetMGM Odds: Weidman -125, Hall +105
Result: Uriah Hall def. Chris Weidman via TKO (broken leg) – Round 1, 0:17
Recap: Chris Weidman snaps leg throwing kick vs. Uriah Hall – the same way he beat Anderson Silva
Photos:
Records: Uriah Hall (17-9 MMA, 10-7 UFC), Chris Weidman (15-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean

Round 1 – Chants of “Valentina!” to start. Shevchenko throws a kick that’s blocked. Andrade charges forward with punches, but Shevchenko evades and then fires a straight. Shevchenko with her hands high, and two more punches come right down the pipe. Low kick from Andrade. Shevchenko catches it and trips the action to the canvas. Andrade quickly works her way back to her feet, and Shevchenko trips her again. Andrade immediately nack to her feet. Shevchenko stays with her and scores another takedown. When Andrade stands again, Shevchenko backs away. Quick strikes on the feet from Shevchenko. She’s dialed in. They clinch, and Andrade scores a few punches to the body inside, but Shevchenko trips her again to the canvas. Andrade tries to scramble, and Shevchenko latches on to the choke. She’s a little off to the side, but she squeezes anyway. Not there. Andrade waits through it. Shevchenko tries to adjust and choke again, but Andrade stands. Shevchenko doesn’t give her any space to work. Knees from the clinch as the “Valentina!” chants start again. Shevchenko nearly has a head-and-arm in place, but Andrade pulls the limb out. Shevchenko wraps the body and again takes her to the floor, landing in side control. Round ends, and MMA Junkie gives it Shevchenko, 10-8.

Round 2 – Andrade aggressive to start, but Shevchenko clinches and then lifts and slams her to the canvas. Big takedown there. Half-guard for Andrade. Heavy top pressure for Shevchenko. Knees to the body for Shevchenko. She’s controlling well from the top but isn’t able to advance. Andrade able to turn and stand, and we work in the clinch. Andrade on the outside, pressing in, but Shevchenko lands a few big knees and then wraps the body and slams her to the canvas once again. Shevchenko steps over to crucifix. She drives in punches to the head. SHe’s heavy on top and feels the finish. Big elbows slam into the side of Andrade’s head. Shevchenko knows she has it. Rapid-fire shots, and this fight is waved off. Pure domination.

BetMGM Odds: Shevchenko -500, Andrade +350
Result: Valentina Shevchenko def. Jessica Andrade via – TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 3:19 – to defend flyweight title
Recap: Valentina Shevchenko smashes Jessica Andrade with crucifix elbows, gets TKO
Photos: Valentina Shevchenko def. Jessica Andrade at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Valentina Shevchenko (21-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), Jessica Andrade (21-9 MMA, 12-7 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1 – Weili with a low kick to start. Namajunas with a wide stance as she moves side to side. Namajunas pumps out the jab. She’s showing constant movement, though Weili kicks her lead leg again. Namajunas left high kick land clean to the chin. Weili drops. She thought that kicks was going low. Namajunas jumps on top and seals the deal with hammerfists. Highlight-reel finish.

BetMGM Odds: Weili -200, Namajunas +170
Result: Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili via knockout (high kick, punches) – Round 1, 1:18 – to win strawweight title
Recap: Rose Namajunas KOs Zhang Weili with head kick to reclaim title
Photos: Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Zhang Weili (21-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Rose Namajunas (10-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1 – No touch of gloves here. Masvidal fakes the run into the flying knee but pulls back. He throws a low kick. Usman fakes a takedown but pulls back. Masvidal with another low kcik and then a front kick up the middle. Usman with a jab, and he continues to tease the takedown. Low kick from Masvidal. Usman answers with a straight right. He reaches down and taps the leg but doesn’t grab it. Usman slips a left and jabs the body. Usman with an overhand right from range. Usman looks fairly comfortable boxing right now. Masvidal with a kick to the body. Masvidal fires a knee, but Usman grabs it and slams him to the canvas. Crowd boos with Usman setting up on top. Open guard for Masvidal, and he has the left foot on the hip. Masvidal staying busy from his back with punches. He tries to kick Usman away, but he can’t get him off. Masvidal gets to a knee. Usman stays tight. Masvidal stands, but Usman teases a back take. Masvidal peels him away, and we reset. Punches traded in the center. Usman misses a big right hand. He’s overswinging a bit. Could get dangerous. Masvidal kicks the leg. Punches blocked, but a Masvidal knee lands up the middle. Usman with a jab at the bell, and they’re talking to each other before they head to the corner. MMA Junkie gives the first to Usman, 10-9.

Round 2 – Masvidal with a low kick as Usman circles. Usman fakes the takedown. Another leg kick from Masvidal. Big rights traded. They smile. Usman throws again. Straight right to the chin. Clean shot, and Masvidal falls. Usman follows with big hammerfists on the floor, and Masvidal is out cold. Wow. Vicious finish from the champion, and in unexpected fashion.

BetMGM Odds: Usman -400, Masvidal +310
Result: Kamaru Usman def. Jorge Masvidal via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:02 – to defend welterweight title
Recap: Kamaru Usman blasts Jorge Masvidal unconscious with vicious right-hand KO
Photos: Kamaru Usman def. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261: Best photos
Records: Kamaru Usman (19-1 MMA, 14-0 UFC), Jorge Masvidal (35-15 MMA, 12-8 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean