For the third time, the UFC is setting up the welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.
After two unsuccessful bookings, the UFC is once again setting up the welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. According to multiple reports, the two will headline UFC 258 on February 13.
Combate first reported the news and was later confirmed by MMA Fighting, stating that both fighters already agreed verbally but have yet to sign their contracts.
Usman vs. Burns was originally slated for UFC 251 in July. That pairing fell through after Burns tested positive for COVID-19. He was subsequently replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who ended up losing via unanimous decision.
The UFC then tried to re-book the fight for UFC 256 in December but decided to postpone these plans for the early months of the year.
Burns earned his shot at Usman off of his dominant decision victory over former champion Tyron Woodley in May. He is currently on a six-fight win streak.
Usman won the belt from Woodley in March 2019 and successfully defended it against Colby Covington nine months later. He hasn’t lost since 2013.
UFC 258’s venue has yet to be finalized.