One of the things that makes MMA such a special sport is the energy within the arena. Fans create the atmosphere that something special can happen every moment as they hang onto the edge of their seat with every punch and kick. It’s the fans that charge up the fighters and give them an unshakable feeling that they are going to deliver the fight of their life.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced UFC to carry on its fights either without fans or with limited fans in the stands. There were some incredible fights that fans didn’t get to be a part of, and fights that would have been electric if their energy could have been felt by the fighters.
So, when UFC was able to sell out an arena for UFC 261: Usman vs Masvidal 2 in Jacksonville, Florida, there was no way that event was going to fall flat. On April 24, 2021, UFC became the first professional sport league to fully allow fans to return to their rightful place.
The fans returned, and the fighters delivered one of the best cards we’ve ever seen.
Nine finishes, three title fights, and two memorable championship knockouts, the first of which came from Rose Namajunas who head kicked Zhang Weili early in the first round to recapture the strawweight title. The second knockout came via the fist of Kamaru Usman, as he knocked out Jorge Masvidal in stunning fashion to defend the welterweight title.