UFC 261 Results: Kamaru Usman KOs Jorge Masvidal On Wild Night

The UFC returned with a live audience for the first time in months Saturday at UFC 261 from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

And they brought quite the card with them.

In the main event, Kamaru Usman cemented his status as the top welterweight in the world, knocking Jorge Masvidal out. The two met for a second time, with the champion retaining once more.

After a close first round, Usman flexed his might in the second, dropping Masvidal to the canvas. 

For the second time in her career, Rose Namajunas is a champion. Namajunas landed with a devastating head-kick, ending the title run of Zhang Weili.

Namajunas followed up with a few punches, but the champion was out. The 28-year-old Namajunas is now 10-4 in her career and a two-time holder of the UFC strawweight title.

Valentina Shevchenko had no trouble with Jessica Andrade, successfully defending her female flyweight title. Shevchenko scored her fifth title defense and pushed her win streak to seven in a row, with the last loss coming to two-division champion Amanda Nunes in 2017.

Chris Weidman was on the other end of a possible career-ending finish vs. Uriah Hall. Weidman, who nearly put an end to Anderson Silva’s run, suffered his own devastating leg injury. 

Hall earned the win, with the bout ending just 17 seconds after it started.

In defeat, Jimmy Crute showed his heart and passion for competing. 

Anthony Smith delivered a nasty kick that resulted in a leg injury for Crute, who attempted to continue competing. After the first round, the doctor called the match, awarding Smith the victory.

The prelims were highlighted by a first round submission victory for Randy Brown, as he finished off Alex Oliveira. Brown dominated the fight before securing the win early.

Dwight Grant picked up a split decision over Stefan Sekulic, Brendan Allen submitted Karl Roberson and Patrick Sabatini bested Tristan Connelly.

Danaa Batgerel, Rodrigo Varga, Jeff Molina and Arian Carnelossi were other prelim winners.

UFC 261 Results

Kamaru Usman def. Jorge Masvidal via KO (strike) at 1:02 of Round 2

Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili via KO (head-kick) at 1:18 of Round 1 to become the new UFC female strawweight champion

Valentina Shevchenko def. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) at 3:20 of Round 2 to remain UFC female flyweight champion

Uriah Hall def. Chris Weidman via TKO (leg injury) at :17 of Round 1

Anthony Smith def. Jimmy Crute via TKO (leg injury) at 5:00 of Round 1

Randy Brown def. Alex Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:50 of Round 1

Dwight Grant def. Stefan Sekulic via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Brendan Allen def. Karl Roberson via submission (ankle lock) at 4:55 of Round 1

Patrick Sabatini def. Tristan Connelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Danaa Batgerel def. Kevin Natividad via TKO (strikes) at :50 of Round 1

Rodrigo Vargas def. Rong Zhu via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jeff Molina def. Qileng Aori via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Ariane Carnelossi def. Na Liang via TKO (strikes) at 1:28 of Round 1