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How to watch UFC 251 Usman vs Masvidal live in New Zealand

There are 3 championship fights on a huge card, including Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski, when UFC’s Fight Island hosts UFC 251. This is how to watch.

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James Dampney
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UFC 251 has fight fans bursting with anticipation over the best card put together since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. There is huge interest in the location. Back in April, president Dana White revealed the UFC had a mysterious venue called “Fight Island”. It has since been announced as Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. There are four events scheduled there in July.

There are three title belts on the line in UFC 251, one of which has already been rocked by a positive COVID-19 test by welterweight Gilbert Burns. The UFC found a replacement in just six days and the main event is now Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal. Alexander Volkanovski also defends his featherweight crown in a rematch with Max Holloway. Read on for all the details.

When is UFC 251 Usman vs Masvidal?

UFC 251 is being held on Sunday 12 July in the United Arab Emirates. The preliminary card starts at midday NZST with four fights. There are then five more bouts on the main card starting from 2pm NZST. Masvidal faces Usman in the main event. Volkanovski’s clash with Holloway is the co-main event and Petr Yan will take on Jose Aldo. The last fight is for the vacant bantamweight title following Henry Cejudo’s retirement.

How to watch UFC 251 Usman vs Masvidal

There are a range of options to tune into UFC 251 in New Zealand. Early prelims, prelims and the main card are split across UFC Fight Pass, Sky Arena, ESPN and free-to-air television.

Watch UFC 251 on free-to-air TV

The prelims of UFC 251 are on Prime TV in New Zealand. You will need a subscription service if you want to watch the early prelims or the main card.

Watch UFC 251 Usman vs Masvidal on UFC Fight Pass

Both the early prelims and the prelims are on UFC Fight Pass in New Zealand. You can also watch the prelims on ESPN. In terms of costs, UFC Fight Pass is $US11.99 for a monthly pass and $US109.99 for an annual pass for New Zealanders. New subscribers can access a free seven-day trial.

For the main card, you will need to sign up for UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass. That has a one-off fee of $US24.95. Fight Pass is available on iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, ROKU, Xbox, LG and Samsung smart TVs and SONY TVs with Android TV.

Watch UFC 249 on Sky Arena

If you are a Sky NZ subscriber with at least the Sky Starter package and a Sky Box, you can access the UFC 251 main card through Sky Arena. It will set you back $39.95 and does not include the prelims. You can book online, on the phone, by text or using your Sky remote.

UFC 251 full card

Main card

  • Welterweight title fight: Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal
  • Featherweight title fight: Alex Volkanovski vs Max Holloway
  • Bantamweight title fight: Petr Yan vs Jose Aldo
  • Women’s strawweight: Rose Namajunas vs Jessica Andrade
  • Women’s flyweight: Amanda Ribas vs Paige VanZant

Preliminary card

  • Light heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka vs Volkan Oezdemir
  • Welterweight: Muslim Salikhov vs Elizeu Dos Santos
  • Featherweight: Makwan Amirkhani vs Danny Henry
  • Lightweight: Leonardo Santos vs Roman Bogatov

Who will win UFC 251 Usman vs Masvidal?

What an incredible schedule of fights there are for MMA fans. Holloway will be determined to square the ledger with Volkanovski and we think the American is a big chance. Many also feel veteran Aldo is fortunate to get a chance for a vacant belt against Yan. It will be some upset if Aldo manages to become a two-division champion.

As for the main event, Usman has a highly impressive 16-1 win-loss record and hasn’t lost a fight since way back in 2013. He takes on Masvidal, his original opponent for this fight before contractual issues got in the way. Masvidal is 35-13 from his 48 fights, winning all 3 fights he contested in 2019. This is a tight one to call, but it’s hard to lean towards anyone but Usman right now whenever he enters the Octagon.

Image source: Main Event website

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