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Jorge Masvidal officially made weight for his clash with Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 – despite requiring the towel on the scales.

This time last week the MMA community expected to see Gilbert Burns on the scales, but his COVID-19 diagnosis sparked a wild chain of events on Fight Island.

Instead, ‘Gamebred’ has flown to Yas Island on six days’ notice and will now face the reigning 170lbs champion in what promises to be a huge card.

As reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani earlier in the week, Masvidal had around 20 pounds to cut before Friday’s weigh-in on Yas Island.

Despite posting a picture of himself appearing to enjoy a large pizza during a stopover in Rome, the 35-year-old made weight with consummate ease.

In fact, a picture posted on Masvidal’s social media accounts suggested he had hit the weight earlier on in the day as he posed in a pool with his arms stretched out in celebration after laying on the floor under copious layers.

American Top Team training partner Dustin Poirier revealed that while preparations have been far from ideal for the Miami-native, Masvidal has been working with high-level wrestlers in order to combat Usman’s ridiculous pressure.

The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ could not have looked more relaxed on the scales if he tried as he also landed at 170lbs exactly on the weight on Friday afternoon.

Elsewhere on the card, both Max Holloway and defending featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski made weight for their championship rematch.

And Petr Yan and Jose Aldo will compete for the vacant bantamweight title down at 135lbs after weighing in without any issues on Friday.

You can watch all the action from UFC 251 live on BT Sport 1 from midnight on Saturday night

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