On Saturday night, UFC 261 offers fight fans a championship triple-header featuring five pound-for-pound superstars and a “BMF.” All three title challengers are former or current champions (if you want to count fictional belts), but also betting underdogs. With Jorge Masvidal and Jessica Andrade the two biggest dogs on the entire card. Surely, at least one competitor in this trio of Masvidal, Andrade, and Rose Namajunas has the elite talent to pull off a championship upset. Instead of babbling on about who I think could dethrone a champion inside the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, I inquired with combat sports experts, and asked them who they believe has the best chance of rewriting division history, and hear and new after their bouts on April 24.
‘Thug Rose’, a fighter’s favorite
It comes as no surprise that Namajunas was a popular pick with the pros. Odds makers see her as having the best chance at forcing a title change, and she is one controversial slam away from being unbeaten over the last four years. In addition, strawweight champion Zhang Weili is a new titleholder with just one title defense under her belt. Compared to Valentina Shevchenko and Kamaru Usman, who have defended their titles on multiple occasions. So Magnum clearly has some things to prove to our experts.
https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1384568798817275928
Aung La Nsang – ONE Championship light heavyweight champion
Out of these three championship fights, I think Namajunas has the best chance of pulling an upset. Rose being the former champion, and having competed three times in championship fights, will give her an edge over the other two challengers. Stylistically, I think this fight is going to play out on the feet and Rose’s movement, and precision could be a problem for Zhang.
Cody Stamann – #13 UFC bantamweight
I think Rose takes out Zhang. She’s a much more elusive striker and it will be hard for Zhang to get off those long combinations she’s known for.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1385336376724533250
Thanh Le – ONE Championship featherweight champion
I’m going to say Weili has the highest chance of losing her belt. Even though I think all three champions will most likely keep their titles.
Brian Kelleher – UFC bantamweight
I really think Rose Namajunas has the best chance of stealing the title. She’s shown amazing striking, movement, her technical abilities, [and] her mindset now seems better than ever. I think Rose can pull it off. She has all the skills in the world. She can submit you, she can knock you out, she’s proven able to do both. I think Zhang Weili is going to have to get inside and try to land some of those power shots. Rose has the longer reach and is going to be able to keep her outside, and utilize footwork to outpoint her, out strike her, and I think it will go to a decision.
‘Street Jesus’ has his believers
Despite being the second biggest underdog on the card, there are those in the combat sports fraternity who still believe Gamebred has what it takes to end Usman’s 17-fight winning streak and reign as champion. Since the first fight, Masvidal has pushed the narrative that taking the bout on a week’s notice had a major effect. And with more time, the results would have been very different. Several of our experts apparently see some truth in that, even though Usman also only had a week to prepare for his new opponent, and still won dominantly nonetheless.
https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1384929987225083907
Phil De Fries – KSW heavyweight champion
I think all the champs will stay the same, but Masvidal has the best chance of causing the upset with his stoppage power. He also has the greatest self-belief as well.
Mason Fowler – Submission Underground absolute champion
I would have to go with Masvidal over Usman. Usman is an absolute monster, but I think with a full camp, Masvidal can get a finish. We saw him have some success in their last fight but you could tell that his striking wasn’t as sharp with only six days’ notice. I think with a full camp we will see the Masvidal that won the BMF belt, but this time he will be winning UFC gold.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1385336631431999499
Julius Anglickas – #4 Bellator light heavyweight
I think Masvidal has a better chance of the upset against Usman, than the other two challengers. I feel Jorge wasn’t doing that bad on short-notice last time. I think I’m just very curious to see how he does with a full training camp this time.
JT Tilley – CEO of SlapFIGHT Championship
“I don’t believe it will be an upset, but Masvidal is my pick for ‘upset’ of the night. His dues are paid. It is his time. As long as he didn’t spend too much of his camp playing touch butt in the park with Jake Paul.
Little love for Andrade
Andrade is the biggest underdog on the card despite being a former strawweight champion, and fifth on the women’s pound-for-pound rankings. However, this fight isn’t happening at 115-pounds, and Shevchenko is the best women’s flyweight in history. While not a popular choice with our experts, “Bate Estaca” did get a little love.
https://twitter.com/aniruds45/status/1385147540526354435
“Thunder Rosa” – Star of NWA wrestling, AEW wrestling and Combate Americas veteran
“Andrade. She can pull the upset. I’m a huge fan of Shevchenko because of how calculated, smart, efficient, and complete she is as a fighter. Vast experience in different disciplines makes her very dangerous and let’s be honest, this is one of the reasons why she has been running away with the flyweight title. However, Andrade comes to the cage with no fear. She is a very strong, experienced, and dangerous opponent. Andrade is explosive, has great wrestling and she strikes to kill. But as we know the current champion is methodical, a counter fighter and she has shown that she is always ready for any opponent. They are going the distance.”
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1385336106003091456
Neiman Gracie – #4 Bellator welterweight
Andrade. I think because she has a strong takedown game and I feel that’s the way to beat Shevchenko.
