In the opening round of the main event, the barn-burner predicted on All Things MMA this week looked like it was kicking into life.
With so much early promise, Gilbert Burns looked like he might well cause an upset to the man with the now-longest winning streak at welterweight in the UFC.
Kamaru Usman, however, had different ideas and showed why once more why he’s top of the 170 pile.
On paper, it wasn’t ever going to be an easy encounter but by the time Usman had his hand raised early in the third round he’d made it look just that. Burns started the brighter of the pair, rocking the champion early in the first but he couldn’t capitalise.
Usman too, perhaps given his change of camp to Colorado, opted not to join Burns on the ground and get into a grappling exchange, instead opting to chop away at Burns legs and land what he could from standing, forcing the challenger back to his feet.
For Usman, while his kicking game has upped, it was all about the jab, at one stage switching freely between orthodox and southpaw to let the left and right jabs fly with speed. That jab in the second round made room for a stiff right hand that sent Burns reeling.
That jab continued to do damage heading into the third, again, Usman dropping Burns with a stiff left before finishing with a flurry on the ground.
Next up looks like a potential rematch with Jorge Masvidal, a bout Usman already won but in his current state, he’ll be taking on anyone, anywhere.
Once friends, then foes.
Usman & Burns embrace at the conclusion on #UFC258 🤝 pic.twitter.com/uwPdtWQfHT
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
UFC 258 Results
- Kamaru Usman def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (0:34 R3)
- Alexa Grasso def Maycee Barber (UD, 29-28 x3)
- Kelvin Gastelum def. Ian Heinisch (UD, 30-27, 29-28 x2)
- Ricky Simon def. Brian Kelleher (UD, 30-27 x3)
- Julian Marquez def. Maki Pitolo via submission (4:17 R3)
- Anthony Hernandez def. Rodolfo Vierira via submission (1:53 R2)
- Belal Muhammad def. Dhiego Lima (UD, 30-27 x3)
- Polyana Viana def. Mallory Martin via submission (3:18 R1)
- Chris Gutierrez def. Andre Ewell (UD, 30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
- Gabe Green def. Phil Rowe (UD, 30-27, 29-28×2)
Ricky Simon v Brian Kelleher was moved to the main card to replace Jim Miller v Bobby Green after green collapsed backstage following Friday’s weigh-ins. He had made weight at 156lbs.
The flyweight bout between Gillian Robertson and Miranda Maverick was also pulled from the card when Robertson reported ill on Saturday afternoon, leaving her unable to fight.
