ABU DHABI – It wasn’t a perfect process, but in the end, Jorge Masvidal got what what he was asking for. After a contract dispute with the UFC in which he refused to settle for the promotion’s offer, Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) was called upon as a late-notice replacement for UFC 251 after original headliner Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19. The UFC was in need of a new main event on one week’s notice – the perfect bargaining chip for Masvidal. On the eve of his UFC 251 title fight main event vs. Kamaru Usman (16-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC), Masvidal fielded questions from reporters – but only briefly
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