UFC 261 Betting Preview

There will be three titles on the line at UFC 261 this weekend. Kamaru Usman will take on Jorge Masvidal for the second time in the premier bout, while Weili Zhang and Valentina Shevchenko look to defend their belts in the other two title fights. It’s a banner night for the UFC, and fans will be out in full force for the first time since the COVID lockdown back in March.

As a nod to Jacksonville for being the first city to allow the UFC back, UFC 261 will be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2021 with the prelims starting at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Plus. The main card will be available only through PPV on ESPN Plus at 10 p.m. ET.

UFC 261 Betting Odds

Kamaru Usman -425

Jorge Masvidal +325

Usman is considered the second-best pound-for-pound fighter in the world by the official UFC rankings. The former collegiate wrestler has a lot of raw power, and he can use it to control the ring like few others. That’s why nine of his 18 wins have come by decision, as he generally smothers opposing fighters. Usman has successfully defended his belt three times since winning a unanimous decision over Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title at UFC 235.

While Masvidal is an explosive fighter capable of landing a devastating knockout blow, he did not fare well against Usman at UFC 251 last summer. He was effectively corralled and was unable to do much of anything as Usman won all five rounds on two of the three judges’ cards. Masvidal has the potential to stop the fight with one punch, but the odds are against him as his wins over Nate Diaz, Ben Askren, and Donald Cerrone haven’t aged well.

Weili Zhang -205

Rose Namajunas +175

Zhang has not lost a fight in seven years. She lost her very first professional fight, but she has won 21 straight bouts since that initial loss. Zhang came to the UFC less than three years ago, yet it only took her three bouts to earn a title shot. She dispatched of Jessica Andrade within 42 seconds to win the women’s strawweight championship, and she defended her belt with a split decision win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248.

That shaky win has Namajunas optimistic about her chances. She is 2-2 in strawweight title fights with losses to Carla Esparza and Jessica Andrade, but she defeated Jedrzejczyk twice to win and retain that belt. Namajunas is coming off a split decision win too though, so there is a reason she is an underdog.

Valentina Shevchenko -425

Jessica Andrade +325

The first title fight of the night will be for the women’s flyweight belt. Shevchenko is a heavy favorite against Andrade, as she has dominated the flyweight division since dropping down a class following her split decision loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215. Shevchenko has won six straight bouts as a flyweight, and no opponent has really challenged her in the Octagon.

Andrade was a strawweight too before dropping down in weight following consecutive losses to Weili and Namajunas. She secured a first-round TKO against Katlyn Chookagian in her first flyweight fight in October, but this is going to be a big leap in competition.

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