Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The word “best” is used way too often in sports, and it might not be accurate to say this Saturday’s UFC 251 fight card is the best in the organization’s history. It’s definitely the most unique, however, as it’s the debut card at Fight Island – otherwise known as Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET time despite the fact that Abu Dhabi is eight hours ahead of Eastern time.

UFC president Dana White created/built Fight Island because of travel restrictions of international competitors to the United States during the coronavirus pandemic, but it actually will be the fourth time Yas Island hosts a UFC card.

The main event was to feature welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (16-1) defending his title against top-ranked contender Gilbert Burns (19-3), but Burns had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. He has been replaced by third-ranked and fan-favorite Jorge Masvidal (35-13), whose coach Mike Brown will not be in his corner after testing positive this week for the coronavirus.