Jorge Masvidal deserves enormous respect for stepping in and saving the UFC's inaugural 'Fight Island' event.

The fan-favourite will take on the irrepressible Kamaru Usman in the headline act of the evening for the franchise's welterweight title.

Gilbert Burns was initially booked in to face the 'Nigerian Nightmare' on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, but the Brazilian had to pull out due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Masvidal and the UFC were quick to react, with a deal between the two parties successfully negotiated within a matter of hours.

It's all set up to be a blockbuster finale at UFC 251, but there is one major hurdle that Masvidal will have to tackle in the coming days.

Masvidal in action

Due to taking the fight with just six days notice, 'Gamebred' has revealed he will have to shed an enormous amount of weight - 20 pounds in fact, which is the equivalent of 1.42 stone!

"Yeah, I got 20 pounds to go. I'm taking the fight on 6 days notice," he told ESPN First Take. "When they made the fight official I weighed 191 pounds but I can lose that weight.

"I've been doing this a long time, it won't be the first time I have to cut a crazy amount of weight at short notice, and like I've always said God has my back so I've got no worries."

You have to admire his dedication to the sport.

Usman in action

While Masvidal is confident of slimming down to the 170-pound limit, there will surely be concerns over his ability in the Octagon on July 11 due to shedding so much weight.

Especially when the man he's fighting is as formidable as Usman, with the undisputed welterweight champ having tasted defeat just once in his 17-fight career.

The Nigerian Nightmare is a world-class wrestler and there will be fears that Masvidal has not had enough time to train for such a talented adversary.

You really do fear for Gamebred in Abu Dhabi, but given his performances against both Ben Askren and Nate Diaz, you can never write the guy off.