Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Gilbert Burns
Three of RotoWire's best MMA handicappers join forces to give you a 10-pack of plays for UFC 258 on Saturday, along with a detailed breakdown of the research behind them.
Now up to seven total contributors, the RotoWire MMA team makes their picks for the pay-per-view portion of UFC 258 on Saturday.
With five rounds to work and high-volume striking and grappling on his side, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will likely be the best (and most popular) MVP selection on FanDuel for UFC 258.
AJ makes his pick for the UFC 258 main event, plus offers a bet on a possible undercard fighter with a grappling-centric path to victory.
The high-volume striking and wrestling of Kamaru Usman typically makes for a great DFS score, regardless of format. Chris Olson picks out the best plays for UFC 258 on a variety of sites.
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Agrees to February title shot
Burns has agreed to take on Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 258 on Feb. 13, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Burns lost his chance to fight Usman this past summer when he came down with COVID-19 and ultimately withdrew, opening the door for Usman to face Jorge Masvidal in his stead. While Usman took care of business handily, he came away with a medical suspension. Factor that in with Burns' recovery and you have a lengthy time on the sidelines for both fighters. This was after a period of heavy activity for Burns, who racked up five victories from April 2019 to May 2020. Burns is riding a six-fight winning streak and will be getting this opportunity on the heels of back-to-back Performance of the Night bonuses. His striking volume and accuracy is well behind that of Usman's, at least statistically, but Burns should still be able to compete on the mat. Oddsmakers peg the Brazilian as a (+195) betting underdog as of early-January.
Burns lost his chance to fight Usman this past summer when he came down with COVID-19 and ultimately withdrew, opening the door for Usman to face Jorge Masvidal in his stead. While Usman took care of business handily, he came away with a medical suspension. Factor that in with Burns' recovery and you have a lengthy time on the sidelines for both fighters. This was after a period of heavy activity for Burns, who racked up five victories from April 2019 to May 2020. Burns is riding a six-fight winning streak and will be getting this opportunity on the heels of back-to-back Performance of the Night bonuses. His striking volume and accuracy is well behind that of Usman's, at least statistically, but Burns should still be able to compete on the mat. Oddsmakers peg the Brazilian as a (+195) betting underdog as of early-January.
Usman fight rescheduled
Burns' welterweight title fight against Kamaru Usman is now expected to take place on Feb. 13, Raphael Marinho of Combate reports.
ANALYSIS
The matchup had already been scheduled and cancelled twice before, but the fighters will hope the third time's the charm after verbally agreeing to a new date. The pair had been set to square off on July 11 before Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and was later set for Dec. 12 but delayed again after Usman decided he needed more time to prepare. As of mid-November, Burns enters this fight as approximately a (+190) betting underdog. He'll be giving up five inches in reach to Usman, who already owns superior averages in terms of striking volume and striking defense. Burns can often lean on his wrestling when this is the case, but not only does Usman rack up takedowns at a higher rate, "The Nigerian Nightmare" has never been taken down in his UFC career.
The matchup had already been scheduled and cancelled twice before, but the fighters will hope the third time's the charm after verbally agreeing to a new date. The pair had been set to square off on July 11 before Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and was later set for Dec. 12 but delayed again after Usman decided he needed more time to prepare. As of mid-November, Burns enters this fight as approximately a (+190) betting underdog. He'll be giving up five inches in reach to Usman, who already owns superior averages in terms of striking volume and striking defense. Burns can often lean on his wrestling when this is the case, but not only does Usman rack up takedowns at a higher rate, "The Nigerian Nightmare" has never been taken down in his UFC career.
Usman fight pushed back
The UFC welterweight title between Burns and Kamaru Usman will not take place on Dec. 12 as previously scheduled, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
This will mark the second time this fight will have been rescheduled. It was supposed to take place on July 11, but Burns had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. According to the report, Usman felt like he would not be ready by Dec. 12. There is no new date at this moment, but it seems likely to be in either January or February.
This will mark the second time this fight will have been rescheduled. It was supposed to take place on July 11, but Burns had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. According to the report, Usman felt like he would not be ready by Dec. 12. There is no new date at this moment, but it seems likely to be in either January or February.
Usman bout now set for December
Burns will get his shot at the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman at the UFC event on December 12, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Burns was supposed to get his title shot back on July 11, but ultimately ended up having to pull out as he tested positive for COVID-19. Usman was able to easily discard Jorge Masvidal who stepped in for Burns on short notice. Burns will still be coming in riding a six fight win streak. This battle for the welterweight title will be on the same card as the Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson title fight for UFC 256.
Burns was supposed to get his title shot back on July 11, but ultimately ended up having to pull out as he tested positive for COVID-19. Usman was able to easily discard Jorge Masvidal who stepped in for Burns on short notice. Burns will still be coming in riding a six fight win streak. This battle for the welterweight title will be on the same card as the Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson title fight for UFC 256.
Discloses negative COVID-19 test
Burns disclosed via his personal Twitter account Monday that he is no longer positive for COVID-19.
ANALYSIS
The implication here is that Burns could soon be ready to fight, and his preference would presumably be a shot at champion Kamaru Usman. He was previously lined up to face Usman for the belt at UFC 251 on Fight Island, but the positive test forced him to withdraw, and Burns was subsequently replaced by Jorge Masvidal (Usman went on to win that fight in convincing fashion). Burns had previously received backing from UFC President Dana White that he would be next in line for a shot at the belt, but a loose acknowledgement is a lot different than ink on paper. It also appears Usman could be facing a medical suspension pending clearance of a nasal X-ray, so that may also play a role in dictating Burns' timeline for a title shot.
The implication here is that Burns could soon be ready to fight, and his preference would presumably be a shot at champion Kamaru Usman. He was previously lined up to face Usman for the belt at UFC 251 on Fight Island, but the positive test forced him to withdraw, and Burns was subsequently replaced by Jorge Masvidal (Usman went on to win that fight in convincing fashion). Burns had previously received backing from UFC President Dana White that he would be next in line for a shot at the belt, but a loose acknowledgement is a lot different than ink on paper. It also appears Usman could be facing a medical suspension pending clearance of a nasal X-ray, so that may also play a role in dictating Burns' timeline for a title shot.