UFC 251 Results: Deep Dive Into Fight Island Ultimate Battles
Do you remember where you were when the world of mixed martial arts changed forever? It happened on a beautiful beach in Abu Dhabi. The world was dealing with global shutdowns, but Dana White found a way to host massive fights. He created “Fight Island,” and the very first card there was UFC 251. It became one of the biggest events in combat sports history. Fans were eager to see live sports again, and this card delivered massive storylines. From short-notice replacements to super close judge decisions, this summer event had absolutely everything an MMA fan could ask for.
Looking back at the event, it felt like a dream for fight fans worldwide. The building energy was incredible, even with an empty arena. This article will break down every single major moment from that historic night. We will look at how the main event came together so quickly. We will also dive into the close championship matches that kept everyone guessing. If you love great athletic stories and high-stakes drama, you are in the correct place. Let us dive deep into the night that helped define the modern era of the sport.
What Made the Fight Island Location So Special?
The global pandemic changed how sports worked everywhere. Most athletic leagues simply shut down for months. However, the leadership team at the Ultimate Fighting Championship wanted to keep moving forward. They built a private, safe bubble environment on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. This unique setup allowed international fighters to travel and compete safely. Fans started calling it “Fight Island,” and the name stuck instantly. It captured the imagination of people all over the planet.
The maiden card for this beach location was ufc 251. The location had special quarantine zones, custom training facilities, and an outdoor cage built right near the water. It looked like something out of a video game or an action movie. Fighters loved the unique vibe, and the media covered it non-stop. This incredible effort showed that the sport could survive any modern challenge. It set a new standard for live sports production during a very dark time in human history.
The Epic Welterweight Clash: Usman vs Masvidal
The main story of ufc 251 was the Welterweight Championship bout. The reigning champion, Kamaru Usman, was originally supposed to fight top contender Gilbert Burns. Sadly, Burns tested positive for a virus right before the flight. The entire event was in serious jeopardy of losing its massive headliner. That is when a true fan favorite stepped up to save the entire day.
Jorge Masvidal took the championship match on just six days’ notice. He had to cut a massive amount of weight in less than a week. He also had to fly across the world to get into the cage. Masvidal already had huge fame after winning the BMF belt the previous year. Fans were losing their minds over his bravery. The hype for this battle reached an all-time high as the two rivals prepared to square off.
How Kamaru Usman Handled the Chaos
When the cage door closed, the champion proved exactly why he is a true legend. Kamaru Usman did not let the late opponent change affect his focused mind. He knew Masvidal had dangerous, explosive boxing skills. Instead of trading punches in an open shootout, Usman chose a smart, grinding strategy. He used his elite wrestling background to control where the fight happened.
Usman continuously pressed Masvidal against the fence. He used strong clinch work, shoulder strikes, and foot stomps to wear the challenger down. It was not the flashiest style, but it was highly effective. Usman won a clear, unanimous decision from the judges after five tough rounds. He completely took away his opponent’s power and defended his precious gold belt with absolute dominance.
The Featherweight Rematch Controversy: Volkanovski vs Holloway 2
The co-main event of ufc 251 featured a highly anticipated rematch for the Featherweight title. Alexander Volkanovski had previously taken the belt from Max Holloway a few months earlier. Holloway came into the second fight with a brilliant plan. He started the opening rounds with incredible speed and high volume. He even dropped Volkanovski early with beautiful kicks and punches, looking like his old dominant self.
However, Volkanovski showed the heart of a true champion. He adjusted his stance and started landing heavy leg kicks in the later rounds. He also used timely takedowns to score points with the judges. When the five rounds ended, the judges turned in a split decision. Volkanovski was declared the winner, but many fans and pundits disagreed. They felt Holloway had done enough early damage to win back his crown.
Petr Yan Becomes the New King of Bantamweights
Another vacant title was on the line during this action-packed night. The dangerous Russian striker Petr Yan fought the legendary Brazilian pioneer José Aldo for the Bantamweight crown. Aldo showed amazing boxing skills early on. He used brutal body shots to slow Yan down in the first few rounds. It looked like the veteran might capture gold once again.
As the match went on, Yan’s incredible cardio and youthful power took over. He started landing heavy combinations that badly hurt the legendary fighter. By the fifth round, Yan was landing unanswered punches on the mat. The referee stopped the match at 3:24 of the final round. Petr Yan walked away as the new undisputed king of the division after a truly masterful performance.
Full UFC 251 Fight Card Results Table
To help you remember all the action, here is a complete, detailed table of the entire card. This chart shows who won, the method used, and the exact round the match ended.
| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Time |
| Welterweight | Kamaru Usman (c) | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Featherweight | Alexander Volkanovski (c) | Max Holloway | Decision (Split) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Bantamweight | Petr Yan | José Aldo | KO/TKO (Punches) | 5 | 3:24 |
| Women’s Strawweight | Rose Namajunas | Jéssica Andrade | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Women’s Flyweight | Amanda Ribas | Paige VanZant | Submission (Armbar) | 1 | 2:21 |
| Light Heavyweight | Jiří Procházka | Volkan Oezdemir | KO/TKO (Punch) | 2 | 0:49 |
| Welterweight | Muslim Salikhov | Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Featherweight | Makwan Amirkhani | Danny Henry | Tech Submission (Choke) | 1 | 3:15 |
| Lightweight | Leonardo Santos | Roman Bogatov | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Heavyweight | Marcin Tybura | Maxim Grishin | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
Thug Rose Gets Her Sweet Revenge
Before the main title fights, the crowd witnessed an absolute classic in the women’s strawweight division. Rose Namajunas fought a highly anticipated rematch against her fierce rival Jéssica Andrade. In their first meeting, Andrade won by slamming Rose onto her head. This second fight was all about elite skill and redemption.
Namajunas used beautiful, precise movement and crisp boxing to dominate the first two rounds. Her jab was working perfectly, causing visible damage to Andrade’s face. Andrade made a strong push in the final round, landing heavy hooks. However, Rose survived the late surge. She won a tight split decision, putting herself right back into the championship picture.
The Rising Stars and Big Finishes on the Card
This massive event was not just about the famous main card names. The early preliminary fights featured amazing highlights that fans still talk about today. For example, submission wizard Amanda Ribas showcased her elite ground game. She forced Paige VanZant to tap out to a beautiful armbar in the very first round of their match.
We also saw the spectacular debut of light heavyweight star Jiří Procházka. He faced a very dangerous veteran in Volkan Oezdemir. Procházka used a wild, unpredictable fighting style that confused his opponent. In the second round, he landed a devastating right hand that knocked Oezdemir out cold. It was a perfect introduction for a man who would later become a champion.
What Was the Financial Impact of This Event?
Even without a live crowd in attendance, this card was a massive commercial success for the promotion. Reports show that the event sold around 1.3 million pay-per-view buys globally. People were stuck at home and desperate for top-tier entertainment. The incredible drama surrounding the main event helped draw in casual sports fans who wanted to see if Masvidal could pull off a miracle.
The massive financial success proved that the Fight Island concept was a brilliant business move. It brought huge media attention to Abu Dhabi and kept the sport booming during tough times. Dana White and his team showed the world that they could adapt to any situation and still make millions of dollars while keeping their athletes active.
The Lasting Legacy of the First Fight Island Card
When we look back at the history of modern combat sports, this specific event stands out as a massive turning point. It proved that the promotion could pull off huge shows under extreme pressure. It also built the foundation for future events in Abu Dhabi, which became a second home for major championship bouts over the next few years.
Fighters like Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovski cemented their elite status on this night. Meanwhile, fighters like Jorge Masvidal earned immense respect for stepping up when everything was on the line. It was a historic night of battles that sports fans will never forget. It showed the true grit, passion, and spirit of mixed martial arts competition.
Conclusion: Share Your Fight Memories!
The incredible drama of ufc 251 still sparks intense debates among fight fans today. Whether you think Max Holloway was robbed or you loved Usman’s dominant wrestling, this card left an undeniable mark on the sport. It brought people together when the world was separated. Who was your favorite fighter on this legendary card? Do you think the judges made the right calls in the close decisions? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Event
Who won the main event at ufc 251?
Kamaru Usman won the main event by defeating Jorge Masvidal via a clear unanimous decision after five tough rounds.
How many days’ notice did Jorge Masvidal have for this fight?
Jorge Masvidal officially took the championship match on just six days’ notice after Gilbert Burns was pulled from the card.
Where did this historic fight card take place?
The event was held behind closed doors at the du Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, popularly known as “Fight Island.”
Was the fight between Volkanovski and Holloway a knockout?
No, the featherweight championship rematch went the full five rounds and ended in a highly debated split decision win for Alexander Volkanovski.
How many pay-per-view buys did the event generate?
The star-studded event was a massive commercial success, generating an estimated 1.3 million pay-per-view buys around the world.
Who won the vacant Bantamweight title that night?
Russian powerhouse Petr Yan defeated Brazilian legend José Aldo by a fifth-round technical knockout to capture the vacant crown.
