Kamaru Usman vs Gilbert Burns Rebooked For UFC 258

Will the third time be the charm for Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns?

UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman was set to defend his title for the first time against Gilbert Burns at UFC 251. But after Burns tested positive, Jorge Masvidal stepped in to take his place. Durinho’s title challenge was rebooked for UFC 256 which is scheduled to take place next month. However, it was Usman’s turn to beg off after he suffered undisclosed injuries.

Now, the UFC is booking Usman vs Burns for the third, and hopefully the last time. According to a report from Raphael Marinho of the Brazilian news outlet Combate, that title fight has been rescheduled for UFC 258, a scheduled pay-per-view event on February 13, 2021.

Ultimate marcou Kamaru Usman x Gilbert Durinho para o dia 13 de fevereiro. Lutadores aguardam apenas os contratos para oficializar a luta. #feedmma

— Raphael Marinho (@raphamarinho) November 17, 2020

Per Google translate:

“Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Durinho for February 13th. Fighters await only contracts to make the fight official. #feedmma,”

Nigerian Nightmare

Known as the Nigerian Nightmare, Usman won the UFC welterweight title with a unanimous decision win over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in March 2019. He successfully defended the title with a fifth-round TKO of Colby Covington at UFC 245 last December and then retained the strap with a unanimous decision win over Masvidal at UFC 251 in Fight Island.

Congrats Kamaru Usman 🇳🇬#UFC251

“The Nigerian Nightmare” has never been defeated inside the Octagon ✊

👉 https://t.co/Npb9MJXSHh pic.twitter.com/gnMa3KfRoW

— SOUNDCITY AFRICA! (@SOUNDCITYtv) July 12, 2020

The 33-year old Usman is a former NCAA Division II wrestling champion at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He burst into the UFC scene after winning the 21st season of The Ultimate Fighter. He is undefeated inside the UFC Octagon with 12 wins and has an overall record of 17-1 with seven knockouts and one win via submission.

Usman is the first Nigerian-born UFC champion and he is tied with Georges St. Pierre for the record for most consecutive wins in the UFC’s welterweight division with 12. He is the 5th best pound for pound fighter in the promotion and is one of the most suffocating wrestlers in the business. Most recently, Usman has shown improved striking skills.

Gilbert Durinho

Gilbert Burns is one of the best grapplers in the UFC. Durinho is a three-time grappling world champion and world cup gold medalist. The 34-year old Brazilian joined the UFC in 2014 and after going 4-2 in his first six Octagon assignments, he has lost just once in his last nine fights and is on a six-fight winning streak.

🚨 Gilbert Burns DOMINATES Tyron Woodley 🚨

@BCampbellCBS: “This was a systematic breakdown.”

WATCH the full recap of @GilbertDurinho‘s win at #UFCFightNight pic.twitter.com/4I2zX3IwdD

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 31, 2020

Durinho rose to no. 2 in the UFC welterweight rankings after a one-sided win over Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN 9 last May 30, 2020. In his last three bouts, Burns has defeated Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia, and Woodley in succession, earning Performance of the Night honors against Maia and Woodley.

Burns signed a four-fight contract earlier this year and is on the best streak of his MMA career. He was looking forward to facing Usman at Abu Dhabi but that fight and the second booking were canceled due to alternating injuries from both camps. Now he finally gets his chance to become a UFC champion.

Odds Analysis

In the first two bookings of this fight, Usman has always been the betting favorite. In the most recent attempt to book this title fight, Usman opened as a -225 betting favorite at BetOnline.ag with Burns coming back as a +190 underdog. Last June, Usman was also a -200 favorite at the same sportsbook while Burns was listed as a +170 underdog.

Usman has closed as the betting favorite in 11 out of his 12 UFC bouts. The only time he was an underdog was when he challenged Woodley for the title and he won that fight decisively. That said, the -225 at which he opened last September was his lowest line since he was a -200 against Wallrey Alves in 2016.

While Usman is used to being the odds on favorite in his UFC bouts, Burns isn’t new to being the underdog. Durinho has been the underdog in two of four bouts since moving up from lightweight to welterweight. He cashed in on all four bouts and paid handsomely as a +150 underdog to Woodley in his most recent outing.