UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2
United States
Main Card • Final
Nigeria
R2, 1:02
Title Fight
Performance of the Night
R1, 1:18
Title Fight
Performance of the Night
China
Kyrgyzstan
R2, 3:19
Title Fight
Brazil
Jamaica
R1, 0:17
R1, 5:00
Australia
Prelims • Final
R1, 2:50
R3, 5:00
Serbia
R1, 4:55
R3, 5:00
Canada
Early Prelims • Final
Mongolia
R1, 0:50
Mexico
R3, 5:00
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
R2, 1:28
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night ($50,000 each): Jeff Molina and Aori Qileng collected $50,000 each for their blistering 15-minute flyweight war, combining for over 300 significant strikes landed.
Performance of the Night ($50,000 each): Kamaru Usman earned $50,000 for his thunderous one-punch knockout of Jorge Masvidal. Rose Namajunas collected $50,000 for her sensational 78-second head-kick knockout over Zhang Weili to become a two-time strawweight champion.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $750,000 | — | $50,000 | $800,000 | |
| LOSS | $500,000 | — | — | $500,000 | |
| WIN | $300,000 | $100,000 | — | $400,000 | |
| LOSS | $400,000 | — | — | $400,000 | |
| WIN | $150,000 | $150,000 | $50,000 | $350,000 | |
| WIN | $150,000 | $150,000 | — | $300,000 | |
| WIN | $80,000 | $80,000 | — | $160,000 | |
| LOSS | $150,000 | — | — | $150,000 | |
| LOSS | $100,000 | — | — | $100,000 | |
| WIN | $45,000 | $45,000 | — | $90,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | $50,000 | $74,000 | |
| WIN | $35,000 | $35,000 | — | $70,000 | |
| LOSS | $65,000 | — | — | $65,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | $50,000 | $62,000 | |
| WIN | $30,000 | $30,000 | — | $60,000 | |
| LOSS | $40,000 | — | — | $40,000 | |
| LOSS | $40,000 | — | — | $40,000 | |
| WIN | $16,000 | $16,000 | — | $32,000 | |
| WIN | $14,000 | $14,000 | — | $28,000 | |
| WIN | $14,000 | $14,000 | — | $28,000 | |
| WIN | $12,000 | $12,000 | — | $24,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $20,000 | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $14,000 | |
| LOSS | $14,000 | — | — | $14,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 | |
| LOSS | $12,000 | — | — | $12,000 |
*Purses are compiled from industry reporting, contractual baselines, and established estimates, as the Florida State Boxing Commission does not publicly disclose official fighter salaries. Figures include official post-fight performance bonus awards ($50,000 each) but exclude discretionary locker room bonuses, pay-per-view dividends, and promotional compliance payments.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC 261
UFC 261 marked the first major indoor sporting event in the United States to welcome a full-capacity crowd without COVID-19 attendance restrictions, packing 15,269 fans inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
The event generated a record-breaking $3.3 million live gate, setting the all-time arena revenue record for VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kamaru Usman extended his UFC winning streak to 14 fights, surpassing Georges St-Pierre for the second-longest win streak in promotional history, trailing only Anderson Silva (16).
Usman’s second-round knockout of Jorge Masvidal marked the first time Masvidal was knocked out cold since 2008 in Sengoku, snapping a 50-fight streak without being stopped via strikes.
Rose Namajunas became the first fighter in UFC Women’s Strawweight history to recapture the championship after losing it, knocking out Zhang Weili with a head kick in just 78 seconds.
Uriah Hall became the first fighter in UFC history to win an official bout without throwing or landing a single strike, following Chris Weidman’s leg injury just 17 seconds into Round 1.
In an eerie historical symmetry, Chris Weidman suffered a broken tibia and fibula checking a kick against Hall—the identical injury Anderson Silva suffered checking a kick against Weidman at UFC 168 in 2013.
Valentina Shevchenko completed 100% of her takedowns (7 for 7) against former strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade before finishing her with elbows from the crucifix position.
UFC 261 became the first event in UFC history where three world championship bouts were all decided by knockout or technical knockout on the same evening.
Jeff Molina (189) and Aori Qileng (116) landed 305 combined significant strikes across three blistering rounds, setting an all-time 3-round UFC flyweight record.
Randy Brown locked up only the third one-armed rear-naked choke submission in modern UFC history, tapping out veteran Alex Oliveira at 2:50 of Round 1.
Anthony Smith severed the peroneal nerve of Jimmy Crute with a single low kick, forcing a rare doctor stoppage due to temporary foot drop at the close of Round 1.
When and where did UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 take place?
UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 took place on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Who won the main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal?
Kamaru Usman defeated Jorge Masvidal via knockout (punch) at 1:02 of Round 2, delivering a devastating straight right hand to successfully defend the UFC Welterweight Championship.
How did Rose Namajunas defeat Zhang Weili to win the title?
Rose Namajunas landed a flush left head kick just 1:18 into Round 1 to knock out Zhang Weili, becoming the first two-time champion in strawweight history.
How did Valentina Shevchenko defeat Jéssica Andrade?
Valentina Shevchenko completed 7 of 7 takedowns and trapped Jéssica Andrade in a dominant crucifix position to win via TKO (elbows) at 3:19 of Round 2.
What happened during the fight between Chris Weidman and Uriah Hall?
Just 17 seconds into the opening round, Chris Weidman threw a right low kick that Uriah Hall checked, causing Weidman’s right tibia and fibula to break instantly. The bout was stopped immediately, resulting in Uriah Hall becoming the first fighter in UFC history to win without landing or throwing a single strike.
Why was UFC 261 significant in sports history following the COVID-19 pandemic?
UFC 261 was the first major indoor sporting event in the United States to host a 100% full-capacity crowd (15,269 fans) since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Who won the official post-fight bonuses at UFC 261?
Four fighters earned $50,000 performance bonuses: Jeff Molina vs. Aori Qileng won Fight of the Night, while Kamaru Usman and Rose Namajunas took home Performance of the Night honors.
Why was the fight between Anthony Smith and Jimmy Crute stopped?
Anthony Smith landed a heavy calf kick to Jimmy Crute’s lead leg that temporarily deadened his peroneal nerve, causing drop foot. Between rounds, the ringside physician examined Crute’s inability to stand stably on his left ankle and stopped the bout, resulting in a TKO (doctor stoppage) for Smith.
What was the live gate and attendance for UFC 261?
The event drew a sold-out crowd of 15,269 fans and generated an arena-record live gate of $3,300,000.
How long was Kamaru Usman’s UFC winning streak after this event?
With his knockout of Masvidal, Usman extended his promotional winning streak to 14 consecutive victories, surpassing Georges St-Pierre for the second-longest winning streak in UFC history.
What record did Jeff Molina and Aori Qileng set?
Molina and Aori combined for 305 significant strikes landed across three rounds, establishing the all-time record for the most significant strikes landed in a three-round UFC flyweight bout.
How did Randy Brown finish Alex Oliveira?
Randy Brown dropped Oliveira with a right hand and applied a rare one-armed rear-naked choke at 2:50 of Round 1, forcing a rapid tap.
How did Brendan Allen defeat Karl Roberson?
Brendan Allen executed a slick transition on the ground to submit Karl Roberson via ankle lock with just five seconds remaining in Round 1 (4:55).
Where was UFC 261 broadcast?
In the United States, the main card aired live exclusively on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View, while prelims aired on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+.
Who called the action on commentary for UFC 261?
The broadcast was led by play-by-play voice Jon Anik alongside color analysts Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, with Bruce Buffer announcing inside the Octagon.
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