UFC 251

The event would have marked the promotion's second visit to Perth, following UFC 221 in February 2018. However, the promotion later announced on May 5 that it would officially postpone the realization of this event in Perth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/ufc-officially-pulls-plug-perths-ufc-251-date|title=UFC officially pulls plug on Perth's UFC 251 date|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2020-05-05|access-date=2020-05-07}}

While not officially announced by the organization, a UFC Featherweight Championship rematch between current champion Alexander Volkanovski and former champion Max Holloway was originally expected to headline the event on June 6.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/2/25/21153823/report-alex-volkanovski-vs-max-holloway-rematch-headline-ufc-251-mma-news|title=Alex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway rematch to headline UFC 251|date=2020-02-25|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Mookie Alexander|access-date=2020-02-26}} The pairing first met at UFC 245, where Volkanovski defeated Holloway via unanimous decision to capture the title.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/12/ufc-245-results-alexander-volkanovski-dethrones-max-holloway-captures-ufc-featherweight-belt|title=UFC 245 results: Alexander Volkanovski dethrones Max Holloway, captures UFC featherweight belt|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2019-12-15|access-date=2019-12-15}} Volkanovski indicated in late March that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he would postpone his title defense on the initial June 6 date.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/28968938/alexander-volkanovski-puts-ufc-title-defense-ice-amid-coronavirus-pandemic|title=Alexander Volkanovski puts UFC title defense on ice amid coronavirus pandemic|work=espn.com|author=Sam Bruce|date=2020-03-29|access-date=2020-06-09}}

A UFC Women's Flyweight Championship bout between current champion Valentina Shevchenko and Joanne Calderwood was expected to take place on the event's first date.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/02/valentina-shevchenko-joanne-calderwood-flyweight-title-ufc-251-june|title=Champ Valentina Shevchenko meets Joanne Calderwood at UFC 251 in June|date=2020-02-20|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|access-date=2020-02-20}} However, Shevchenko was forced to withdraw from the event on March 31 due to a leg injury and the bout was postponed.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/03/ufc-251-valentina-shevchenko-injured-joanne-calderwood-fight-postponed|title=Valentina Shevchenko injured; UFC 251 title fight vs. Joanne Calderwood on hold|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2020-03-31|access-date=2020-03-31}}

File:Yas Marina Circuit + Ferrari World -Abu Dhabi.jpg was also the site for three previous UFC events in Abu Dhabi. One of them, UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson, was held at du Arena. The other two Yas Island events, UFC 112 and UFC 242, were held at temporary venues.]]

UFC president Dana White stated on April 7 that he was pursuing an international venue — described as a "private island" or "Fight Island" — to facilitate the hosting of events involving fighters impacted by U.S. travel restrictions.{{cite web|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2020-04-07|title=Dana White's COVID-19 plan: Two months of weekly fights at UFC 249 location, a private island, and Joe Rogan|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/4/7/21211634/dana-white-covid-19-plans-weekly-fights-at-ufc-249-location-a-private-island-and-joe-rogan|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-10|website=MMAFighting.com|publisher=Vox Media}}{{cite web|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-04-07|title=UFC's White: Secured private island for fights|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29006529/dana-white-secured-us-location-private-island-ufc-fights|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-10|website=ESPN|publisher=}}

On June 9, the UFC revealed that the "Fight Island" site would be Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and that it would also host four events in July. This event was the fourth UFC event held on Yas Island overall, succeeding UFC 242 in September 2019. Additionally, there is a 10 square mile (16 km) "safety zone" on the island restricted to essential personnel. The designated area includes access to amenities such as hotels, restaurants and a training cage on the beach.{{Cite web|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-06-09|title=White: Fight Island is in UAE, will host UFC 251|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29287612/ufc-fight-island-host-events-next-month|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-09|website=ESPN.com|publisher=}} The fights took place inside the du Forum — an indoor events arena. It does not have communal areas and those entering the site must go through "mist tunnels" to disinfect themselves from surface bacteria.{{Cite web|author=Kevin Iole|date=2020-07-07|title=Abu Dhabi's 'Fight Island' could become a lot more familiar if COVID-19 shuts down Las Vegas again|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/abu-dhabis-fight-island-could-become-a-lot-more-familiar-if-covid-19-shuts-las-vegas-down-again-210850274.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-10|website=Yahoo! Sports|publisher=}}{{Cite web|author=Ben Collins|date=2020-07-10|title=UFC 251: 'Beautiful, surreal, insane' - what's Fight Island really like?|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/53357610|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-10|website=BBC Sport|publisher=}}

Without fans in attendance, the promotion did not have to worry about scheduling the event for local primetime hours. The event was instead scheduled for prime time in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone; the full preliminary card began at approximately 2:00 am (July 12) Gulf Standard Time.{{cite web|author=Wagenheim|first=Jeff|date=2020-06-11|title=What we know and don't know about 'Fight Island'|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29294243/ufc-251-know-know-fight-island|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-23|website=ESPN.com|publisher=}}

A UFC Welterweight Championship bout between current champion Kamaru Usman (also The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians welterweight winner) and Gilbert Burns was expected to headline the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/06/ufc-251-kamaru-usman-vs-gilbert-burns-booked-to-headline|title=Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns headlines UFC 251 on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-06-09|access-date=2020-06-09}} However, it was announced on July 3 that Burns was pulled from the contest after he and his coach, Greg Jones, tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-251-gilbert-burns-out-kamaru-usman-title-fight-coronavirus|title=Gilbert Burns tests positive for COVID-19, out of UFC 251 headliner vs. Kamaru Usman|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2020-07-03|access-date=2020-07-04}} Pending pre-fight testing and a 24-hour quarantine, Jorge Masvidal was expected to serve as his replacement.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-251-kamaru-usman-vs-jorge-masvidal-welterweight-title-booked-fight-island|title=Jorge Masvidal steps in on six days' notice to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn and John Morgan|date=2020-07-05|access-date=2020-07-05}} After he passed his initial test, the new main event was confirmed.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-251-kamaru-usman-vs-jorge-masvidal-title-fight-official-covid-19-test|title=Jorge Masvidal passes COVID-19 test; UFC makes Kamaru Usman title fight official|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2020-07-06|access-date=2020-07-06}}

The previously mentioned UFC Featherweight Championship rematch between Volkanovski and Holloway co-headlined the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/06/ufc-25q-alexander-volkanovski-vs-max-holloway-rematch-booked-fight-island|title=Jorge Masvidal passes COVID-19 test; UFC makes Kamaru Usman title fight official|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2020-06-09|access-date=2020-06-09}}

A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout for the vacant title between Petr Yan and former WEC and two-time UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo also took place at the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/06/jose-aldo-vs-petr-yan-bantamweight-title-fight-set-for-ufc-251-on-fight-island|title=Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan bantamweight title fight set for UFC 251 on 'Fight Island'|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-06-09|access-date=2020-06-09}} Former champion Henry Cejudo announced immediately after his title defense at UFC 249 that he would be relinquishing the title and retiring from the sport.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/shocker-henry-cejudo-announces-mma-retirement-ufc-249-olympics-dominick-cruz|title=Shocker: Henry Cejudo stops Dominick Cruz, then announces MMA retirement at UFC 249|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2020-05-10|access-date=2020-06-09}}

The following fights were also rescheduled for this event, after being scrapped due to different reasons from their original bookings:

• A women's strawweight rematch between former UFC Women's Strawweight Champions Jéssica Andrade and Rose Namajunas.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/06/rose-namajunas-vs-jessica-andrade-rematch-booked-for-ufcs-july-11-card|title=Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade rematch booked for UFC's July 11 card|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Dave Doyle and Mike Bohn|date=2020-06-03|access-date=2020-06-09}} The pairing previously met at UFC 237 in May 2019, where Andrade won via second-round TKO to capture the title.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmaindia.com/ufc-237-results-jessica-andrade-kos-rose-namajunas-in-round-2-wins-strawweight-belt/|title=UFC 237 results – Jessica Andrade KO's Rose Namajunas in round 2, wins strawweight belt|publisher=mmaindia.com|author=Sohail Syed|date=2019-05-12|access-date=2020-06-09}} They were originally expected to co-headline UFC 249.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/01/ufc-249-rose-namajunas-vs-jessica-andrade-rematch-booked|title=Rose Namajunas, Jessica Andrade agree to rematch at UFC 249 in Brooklyn|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2020-01-09|access-date=2020-06-09}} However, Namajunas pulled out for personal reasons, with her manager citing a pair of deaths in the family related to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/ufc/story/_/id/29013557/rose-namajunas-pulls-ufc-249-bout-vs-jessica-andrade|title=Rose Namajunas pulls out of UFC 249 bout vs. Jessica Andrade|work=espn.com|author=Marc Raimondi and Ariel Helwani|date=2020-04-08|access-date=2020-06-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/4/9/21215451/manager-rose-namajunas-withdrew-from-ufc-249-after-covid-19-deaths-in-family|title=Manager: Rose Namajunas withdrew from UFC 249 after COVID-19 deaths in family|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Newswire|date=2020-04-09|access-date=2020-06-09}}
• A heavyweight bout between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Ciryl Gane.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/shamil-abdurakhimov-vs-ciryl-gane-tijdens-ufc-251s-ifw-week-evenement/|title=Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane at UFC 251's IFW week event|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Staff|date=2020-05-10|access-date=2020-06-09}} {{in lang|nl}} The pairing was also scheduled for UFC 249, but Gane was forced to pull out of the event after he was struck by a pneumothorax in training.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/3/5/21166938/ciryl-gane-out-ufc-249-fight-shamil-abdurakhimov|title=Ciryl Gane out of UFC 249 fight with Shamil Abdurakhimov|date=2020-03-05|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|access-date=2020-06-09}} Subsequently, the pairing was cancelled a second time and scrapped from this event in mid-June as Abdurakhimov was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons. In turn, Gane was rescheduled to fight Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Oleinik.{{cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/sergei-pavlovich-treft-ciryl-gane-tijdens-8-augustus-evenement/|title=Sergei Pavlovich encounters Ciryl Gane during the August 8 event|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Staff|date=2020-04-14|access-date=2020-06-15}} {{in lang|nl}}
• A women's strawweight bout between Amanda Ribas and Paige VanZant.{{Cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/luta-entre-amanda-ribas-e-paige-vanzant-e-remarcada-pra-11-de-julho-pelo-ufc.ghtml|title=Fight between Amanda Ribas and Paige VanZant is rescheduled for July 11 by UFC|publisher=globoesporte.globo.com|author=Raphael Marinho|date=2020-05-21|access-date=2020-06-09}} {{in lang|pt}} They were initially scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira in March. However, VanZant was forced to pull out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Report-Paige-VanZant-Out-Randa-Markos-In-Against-Amanda-Ribas-at-UFC-Brasilia-169165|title=Report: Paige VanZant out, Randa Markos in against Amanda Ribas at UFC Brasilia|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Jay Pettry|date=2020-01-24|access-date=2020-06-09}}

A bantamweight bout between Pedro Munhoz and former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar was briefly linked to the event. However, promotion officials elected to schedule the pairing for UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige four days later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/update-pedro-munhoz-vs-frankie-edgar-moved-to-ufc-event-on-july-15th/|title=Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar moved to UFC event on July 15th|publisher=fightbookmma.com|author=Ross Markey|date=2020-06-16|access-date=2020-06-16}}

A heavyweight bout between Marcin Tybura between Alexander Romanov was scheduled for the event. However, Romanov was pulled from the event after testing positive for COVID-19 and replaced by promotional newcomer Maxim Grishin.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/voormalig-wfca-kampioen-maxim-grishin-maakt-ufc-debuut-op-11-juli-tijdens-ufc-251/|title=Former WFCA champion Maxim Grishin makes UFC debut on July 11 at UFC 251|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Staff|date=2020-07-03|access-date=2020-07-03}} {{in lang|nl}}{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/gym-says-alexander-romanov-removed-ufc-positive-covid-19-test-coronavirus|title=Gym: Alexander Romanov was removed from UFC 251 due to positive COVID-19 tests|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2020-07-09|access-date=2020-07-09}}

At the weigh-ins, Raulian Paiva and Vanessa Melo missed weight for their respective bouts. Paiva weighed in at 129 pounds, three pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. Melo weighed in at 141 pounds, five pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. Both of their bouts proceeded at a catchweight and they were each fined 20% and 30% of their individual purses, which went to their opponents Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Karol Rosa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/10/21319912/ufc-251-weigh-in-results-kamaru-usman-jorge-masvidal-make-weight-all-title-fights-official|title=UFC 251 weigh-in results: Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal make weight, all title fights official|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2020-07-10|access-date=2020-07-10}}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Main card}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Kamaru Usman (c)

|def.

|Jorge Masvidal

|Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 50–45, 49–46)

|5

|5:00

|For the UFC Welterweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Alexander Volkanovski (c)

|def.

|Max Holloway

|Decision (split) (47–48, 48–47, 48–47)

|5

|5:00

|For the UFC Featherweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Petr Yan

|def.

|José Aldo

|TKO (punches)

|5

|3:24

|For the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Strawweight

|Rose Namajunas

|def.

|Jéssica Andrade

|Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Flyweight

|Amanda Ribas

|def.

|Paige VanZant

|Submission (armbar)

|1

|2:21

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Light Heavyweight

|Jiří Procházka

|def.

|Volkan Oezdemir

|KO (punch)

|2

|0:49

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Muslim Salikhov

|def.

|Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

|Decision (split) (30–27, 28–29, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Makwan Amirkhani

|def.

|Danny Henry

|Technical Submission (anaconda choke)

|1

|3:15

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Leonardo Santos

|def.

|Roman Bogatov

|Decision (unanimous) (29–26, 29–26, 29–26)

|3

|5:00

|Bogatov was deducted 2 points in round 3 for multiple low blows and an illegal knee.

}}

{{MMAevent card|Early Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Heavyweight

|Marcin Tybura

|def.

|Maxim Grishin

|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Catchweight (129 lb)

|Raulian Paiva

|def.

|Zhalgas Zhumagulov

|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Catchweight (141 lb)

|Karol Rosa

|def.

|Vanessa Melo

|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–27)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Bantamweight

|Davey Grant

|def.

|Martin Day

|KO (punch)

|3

|2:38

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-251|title=UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal|date=11 March 2020 |publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|access-date=2020-06-06}}

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-251-bonuses-rose-namajunas-jessica-andrade-war-nets-fight-of-the-night-honors|title=UFC 251 bonuses: Rose Namajunas-Jessica Andrade war nets 'Fight of the Night' honors|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2020-07-12|access-date=2020-07-12}}

• Fight of the Night: Rose Namajunas vs. Jéssica Andrade
• Performance of the Night: Jiří Procházka and Davey Grant

The event had a total fight time of 3 hours, 7 minutes and 27 seconds, surpassing the previous record holder UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-2020-by-the-numbers-year-end-stats-streaks-records-history|title=UFC in 2020: A ridiculously robust look at the stats, streaks, skids, and records|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2020-12-29|access-date=2021-01-15}} The record was later broken by UFC 263 with 3:19:32.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-263-post-event-facts-new-record-most-fight-time-single-event-company-history|title=UFC 263 post-event facts: Decision-heavy card shatters record for most fight time|author=Mike Bohn|date=June 13, 2021|work=MMAjunkie.com}}

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