Kamaru Usman News

Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020

Gilbert Burns believes Jorge Masvidal will make the welterweight division like a circus if he becomes the champion. In the main event of UFC 251, Usman is looking to defend his belt against Masvidal. The fight was booked on just six days’ notice after Burns tested positive for COVID-19.

Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020

Kamaru Usman says he will be bringing the welterweight title and the BMF title home with him this weekend. In the main event of UFC 251, Usman will look to defend his 170-pound strap when he battles Jorge Masvidal who took this fight on short notice. It is a very intriguing matchup, but for “The Nigerian Nightmare” he says nothing changes going from Burns to Masvidal.

Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020

Jorge Masvidal is not a fan of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When he entered into a heated and highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.

Natasha Hooper - July 6, 2020

Ben Askren has reacted to the news of his former opponent Jorge Masvidal’s upcoming fight against Kamaru Usman. On Sunday it was announced that the UFC welterweight champion Usman and the ‘BMF’ winner Masvidal will collide at Saturday’s UFC 251 event on Dana White’s Fight Island.

Christopher Taylor - July 5, 2020

Nate Diaz is happy to see a “real fight” between Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman headline next weekends UFC 251 pay-per-view event. Friday night it was announced that the previously booked UFC 251 main event between Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman was forced to be scrapped, this after the Brazilian contracted the Coronavirus.

Adam Martin - July 5, 2020

Months after the original opening betting line was released, we have an update on the betting odds for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal. After Usman defeated Colby Covington via fifth-round TKO in an all-out war at UFC 245, the oddsmakers released a line for Usman against Masvidal. The opening betting odds at the time saw Usman open as a -260 betting favorite, with Masvidal opening as a +200 underdog. Nearly seven months later and with the two finally set to settle their score at UFC 251, now the betting lines have shifted as the fight becomes closer and closer to finally becoming a reality on Fight Island.

Christopher Taylor - July 4, 2020

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will still be competing at next weekend’s UFC 251 event after Jorge Masvidal has agreed to step up on short notice. Yesterday evening unfortunate news broke that Usman’s slated UFC 251 opponent Gilbert Burns had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus forced out of next weekend’s event headliner.

Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020

Barring any positive tests for Covid-19, BMF title holder Jorge Masvidal will square off with Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title on Fight Island. That news was reported moments ago by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, who revealed the following information on Sports Center.

Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020

BMF title holder Jorge Masvidal (35-13 MMA) just went and got tested for Covid-19 amidst rumors of a potential return to the Octagon. Yesterday evening it was announced that Gilbert Burns had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus forced to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 251 title fight with reigning welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman appears interested in fighting Jorge Masvidal now that his bout with Gilbert Burns has been scrapped. Yesterday evening news broke that Burns (19-3 MMA) had contracted the Coronavirus and was no longer able to compete against Usman (16-1 MMA) in next weekend’s UFC 251 event headliner as scheduled.

Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020

Streaking contender Gilbert Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. Sadly that is no longer the case as earlier tonight it was reported that ‘Durinho’ had contracted the Coronavirus in Florida and thus would not be able to compete at next weekend’s pay-per-view event against Usman.

Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020

Surging contender Gilbert Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. Unfortunately for fight fans, Burns (19-3 MMA) has been forced out of the highly anticipated contest after contracting the Coronavirus.

Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020

Jorge Masvidal took to social media shortly after news broke that Gilbert Burns has been forced out of his UFC 251 title fight with Kamaru Usman. Earlier this evening, MMAJunkie reported that Burns (19-3 MMA) had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus unable to compete against Usman (16-1 MMA) in next weekend’s pay-per-view headliner.

Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020

Streaking contender Gilbert Burns will no longer be challenging Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at next weekend’s UFC 251 event. Burns (18-3 MMA) was set to challenge his former training partner in Usman (16-1 MMA) in the headliner of next weekend’s pay-per-view event on Fight Island.

Adam Martin - July 2, 2020

The full betting odds have been released for UFC 251: Usman vs. Burns, the first event from the promotion scheduled to take place on UFC Fight Island. UFC 251 takes place on Saturday, July 11 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main event sees UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman put his belt on the line against No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns, while the co-main event is a rematch between UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former champ Max Holloway.

Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020

Gilbert Burns has responded to a recent claim from Jorge Masvidal surrounding his payment for his UFC 251 title fight with Kamaru Usman. Masvidal was widely expected to be the next man in line for a shot at Usman, but ultimately entered into a heated contract dispute with the UFC. When negotiations stalled, Burns was awarded the next shot at Usman in Masvidal’s place.

Cole Shelton - June 23, 2020

Kamaru Usman will not be training with his longtime coach, Henri Hooft and at his longtime gym Sanford MMA for his upcoming fight. Usman is set to defend his welterweight title against Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 251. The two are longtime teammates but ahead of their clash, the champ decided to head to Denver and train under Trevor Wittman and work with the likes of Justin Gaethje and Drew Dober.

Tom Taylor - June 18, 2020

Long-time UFC welterweight contender Rafael dos Anjos has made his prediction for the upcoming welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, holds a decision win over dos Anjos. He’s scheduled to defend his title against dos Anjos’ friend and countryman, Burns, in the main event of UFC 251 on July 11.