UFC 251 seemed like a mirage just a few months ago but the UFC managed to make it a success despite the bumpy road to get there.
The card delivered in general but the main card, in particular, was the subject of all the attention.
Amanda Ribas submitted Paige VanZant in the first round to start the hostilities and the rematch between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade delivered.
The three title fights on the card closed the show in spectacular and sometimes controversial fashion. Petr Yan finished Jose Aldo in the last round of their bantamweight title fight. Alexander Volkanovski won a controversial split decision over Max Holloway and Kamaru Usman manhandled Jorge Masvidal to keep his welterweight belt.
Here are some of the reactions from pro fighters and celebrities to the fights.
PROS REACTION TO USMAN VS MASVIDAL:
The Nigerian nightmare will strike again! 🇳🇬
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
I wish they could both lose.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
I’ve become a big fan of Usman over the last few years #UFCFightIsland
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 12, 2020
Let's gooooo Champ @USMAN84kg 👑🇳🇬🏆
.#UFC251— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 12, 2020
Fireworks already!!!!
— Wonderboy (@WonderboyMMA) July 12, 2020
Kamari Usman looking like me in that clinch haha
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 12, 2020
Beautifull game plane by the Nigerian nightmare #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
Gotta be careful ducking the head that way….asking for an uppercut or knee! #ufc251
— Wonderboy (@WonderboyMMA) July 12, 2020
This fight is boring as shit
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
Congratulations Champ 🇳🇬 🇺🇸
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 12, 2020
Gray finish to the fight. Usman the shows why he’s the champ !! #UFC251
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) July 12, 2020
Congrats @USMAN84kg on keeping the belt #UFCFightIsland
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 12, 2020
PROS REACTION TO HOLLOWAY VS VOLKANOVSKI 2
Who wants a shot at the greatest combat athlete of all time ? @BlessedMMA or @alexvolkanovski ? #TripleC #C4 @henrycejudo #ufc251
— Eric Albarracin (@CPTdasAmericas) July 12, 2020
I think 2-2 dammit
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 12, 2020
Love the patience from @BlessedMMA That is super important if he wants to win #UFC251
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) July 12, 2020
Holy crap! I don’t know if it’s the hair or zoom camp but Max has made some great adjustments!! #UFC251
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 12, 2020
@alexvolkanovski has to make this a fight. Playing right into the reach of #blessed #UFC251
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) July 12, 2020
It’s weird not to see Max not in the championship shorts!
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2020
Holloway is looking great! 2-0
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
Max is looking good! #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
Let’s go @BlessedMMA !!!! #UFC251 #AndNew
— Wonderboy (@WonderboyMMA) July 12, 2020
I want the winner of this fight! #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
Give me the winner! #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
R3 was a coinflip. Ill go Volkanovski.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
We need the Ali Act for MMA. I could fight one of these guys, Champion vs Champion. That's what MMA fans want to see.
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) July 12, 2020
I had Max the first 3 Rds! Damn! That’s tough man. I feel for Max but congrats to Volkanovski#UFC251 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 12, 2020
Pushed hard and got that win! 👍🏾 Volk.
— Michael Johnson (@Menace155) July 12, 2020
Max won #UFC251
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) July 12, 2020
Pro Reaction: Petr Yan vs Jose Aldo
Yan is too slow!!
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2020
Looks like Aldo is adjusting can Yan use is youth. #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
3-1 yan. #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
I was fortunate that Aldo never even attempted a leg kick when we fought #UFCFightIsland 😁
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 12, 2020
Dreaming to watch Aldo’s Low kick the shit of this guy 🙏🏾🙏🏾 #Andrew #UFCFightIsland #UFC251
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2020
Vintage Aldo ! Here we go ! #UFC251
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) July 12, 2020
Jose aldo is 33 years old, that’s insane for how long he’s been around fighting for championships.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 12, 2020
Wow Yan looked outstanding in R1!!!
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
Those aldo kicks!! #ufc251
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) July 12, 2020
Broken rib? #UFC251
— Wonderboy (@WonderboyMMA) July 12, 2020
Yan touched his liver at the end of 1 #UFC251
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) July 12, 2020
Getting the chills as I see these two men walking in the octagon. #ufc251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
I got ALDO Winning let’s go “The King of Rio” @josealdojunior #AndNew #UFCFightIsland #UFC251
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2020
👀
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) July 12, 2020
I got Aldo. I think his boxing takes it! And I heard he’s kicking again! #UFC251 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 12, 2020
DUMD Referee 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ 😡😡😡 you there to protect the fighter STUPID
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2020
If Yan cuts a good promo he becomes a star now.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
Not a bad ref job imo
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) July 12, 2020
Congrats precious @PetrYanUFC 💋 but you absolutely suck! You’d be lucky to make it past two rounds with triple c! You ugly potato 🥔 #rentachamp
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
Amazing fight fellas!! Well deserved and earned by @PetrYanUFC! You are the real deal and I cannot wait to share the octagon with you homie! #FunkGotNext #UFC251 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 12, 2020
It’s only a matter of time @uFC 💪🏼💪🏼 #Cody2.0
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2020
Pro Reaction: Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade 2
Fuck me what a fight!!!
— michael (@bisping) July 12, 2020
Wow terrible advice from Andrade corner, they told her she was up 2-0
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 12, 2020
Damn I mean I got Thug Rose. It was a typo 👀
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) July 12, 2020
Thug Rose 🌹 looking smooth @uFC
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2020
Thug @rosenamajunas dominated every second until the very end last time. I expect speed to dominate again, without the funky ending. #UFC251
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 12, 2020
Round 1 to @rosenamajunas !! #UFC251
— Wonderboy (@WonderboyMMA) July 12, 2020
Good luck to Thug Rose and my little sister tonight! Hope it’s a great fight! #UFC251
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 12, 2020
Let’s go @jessicammapro 🇧🇷🇧🇷 #UFC251 #UFCFightIsland
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2020
So now we doing flipping sh*t. #ufc251
— Eric Albarracin (@CPTdasAmericas) July 12, 2020
Taking @rosenamajunas all day in this one…too well rounded. Andrade has power and tenacity but I’m taking the technique! What y’all think? #UFC251
— Wonderboy (@WonderboyMMA) July 12, 2020
The anticipation is too much for me to handle… The rematch! #UFC251
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
@rosenamajunas #gametime #UFC251
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) July 12, 2020
