Report: UFC, Masvidal failed to come to terms for welterweight title fight

A day before announcing that Kamaru Usman will defend his welterweight title against Gilbert Burns at UFC 251 on July 11, the UFC tried to finalize a fight between Usman and Jorge Masvidal one last time, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

The promotion ultimately could not come to terms with Masvidal, so it moved on from the matchup, Helwani said.

Before offering the title fight to Burns, the UFC reached out to top contender Leon Edwards to see if he would fight Usman on July 11, sources told Helwani. But the U.K. lockdown - which is a result of the coronavirus pandemic - prevented "Rocky" from agreeing to the bout.

Masvidal, one of the biggest stars in the promotion, said last week on social media that the UFC isn't willing to pay him what he believes he's worth. He also asked for his release. "Gamebred" later said he wants the company to share more revenue with its fighters.

Masvidal followed in the footsteps of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who spoke out against the UFC over a financial dispute in May.

UFC 251 will take place on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates and marks the promotion's inaugural Fight Island event. The card will feature two other title bouts.