MMA Preview – Kamaru Usman vs Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
KAMARU USMAN VS GILBERT BURNS FACTS
When is UFC 258? Sunday 14th February, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 258? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 258? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC 258 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 258? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
KAMARU USMAN VS GILBERT BURNS LOWDOWN
Kamaru Usman (17-1) makes the third defence of his title after wrestling the ‘BMF’ Jorge Masvidal for five rounds back in July on Fight Island. So, Usman should also be the new ‘BMF’ champion, but that belt means absolutely nothing, so he is just the undisputed welterweight champion for now and he has the makings of being up there with Georges St Pierre as the most dominant welterweight of all time. He is not the most exciting fighter, but his wrestling and mentality put him at the top of the food chain with a record that keeps getting better and he hopes to add to his victim sheet that already includes the likes of Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington.
Gilbert Burns (19-3) is the next monster in line and on paper, he provides Usman’s toughest match-up right now. Since moving back up to welterweight in 2019, he has gone on a tear and has never looked better. He handed Alexey Kunchenko his first ever loss snapping his 20-fight win streak, he went on to out grapple Gunnar Nelson in another unanimous decision, he knocked out fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard Maia and is coming off a domination of the former champion Woodley to pick up his second ‘performance of the night’ in a row.
KAMARU USMAN VS GILBERT BURNS PREDICTION
What makes this match-up so interesting is the fact that Burns is ferocious on the feet but also a grappling behemoth. He will not be able to out wrestle Usman, but if the fight goes to the ground, the champion will have to tangle with one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the UFC.
They are also teammates and will have sparred a lot of rounds with each other – in the ring, on the fence and on the ground. They will know each other’s game inside out. They will believe they have each other’s number, but the key factor will still be what answers will Burns have for Usman’s wrestling.
Usman is not submitting Burns and he has a lot of confidence in his striking, but he is not a finisher and it will be a risk to trade with Burns who is simply a better striker. So, we expect Usman to wrestle and clinch up against the fence for as long as possible to grind Burns down and wear him out until he offers little threat in the championship rounds.
Burns is a strong wrestler himself with offence as well as defence as he ‘Usman’d’ Nelson who is also a top tier grappler. His jiu-jitsu is on another level, and it will be fascinating to see if Usman’s wrestling is enough to keep Burns on his back if the fight goes to the ground. Burns’ route to victory is firing in his leg kicks and setting up a knockout blow before Usman shoots in or exploding out of the clinch with elbows.
If Usman has the ego to stand with Burns and just rely on his straight-right hand, Burns can find a knockout. However, with the ease Usman stifled Masvidal’s stand-up threat, you have to back Usman for another grinding decision with a lot of clinch work, but Burns will push the favourite all the way.
Prediction: Usman via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Burns via KO/TKO / Decision
