Masvidal And Usman Land In Vegas For Testing

Laura Sanko

The UFC isn’t announcing Usman vs. Masvidal at UFC 251 until both fighters test negative in Vegas for Coronavirus. That news should come out any hour now.

Everything is more complicated in these Coronavirus days, and that includes the announcement of big UFC fights.

At this point, it’s all but official: Jorge Masvidal will be stepping in for the COVID-19 positive Gilbert Burns to face welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. But before the UFC pulls the trigger on what we imagine is going to be a smorgasbord of promotional hype, they’re waiting for Masvidal to pass his own Coronavirus test.

Florida is one of the hardest hit states in the country for Coronavirus infections right now, and Miami went so far as to implement a curfew over 4th of July weekend in an attempt to shift the curve down enough to avoid disasters at the hospital. Gilbert Burns was a fellow Floridian fighter training at Henri Hooft’s gym in Fort Lauderdale, so it’s not like COVID-19 isn’t making its way through the gyms in the state.

So for now we watch and wait with bated breath as Jorge and Kamaru go through the required health protocol steps to be confirmed for this fight. With that in mind, here’s footage of “Street Jesus” leaving for Vegas via private jet, just another sign the UFC is trying to minimize as many risks to both its fighters in these uncertain times.

“Just taking a stroll, don’t get all excited,” Masvidal jokes in the video. “Stretching the legs, you know?”

Not a bad idea! Once Masvidal gets to Vegas and tests negative for Coronavirus, he’ll be put on another plane to Abu Dhabi. Typical flight time to the United Arab Emirates? 19 hours.

Here’s Laura Sanko’s creeper shot of Masvidal checking into his Vegas hotel while he awaits testing:

Also in Vegas: Kamaru Usman, who took the time to take a snap with fellow UFC fighter Aaron Phillips, who fights in Abu Dhabi on July 15th.

We still don’t like seeing anyone less than 6 feet apart though! WHAT IS HE EVEN DOING IN A POPULATED SPACE! Please, someone put these two men in giant inflatable hamster bubbles RIGHT NOW!