More Fantasy News
Fight booked against Thompson
Burns will take on Stephen Thompson in a welterweight matchup at UFC 264 on July 10, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This will be Burns' first trip to the Octagon since losing to Kamaru Usman back in February at the UFC Welterweight Championship. On the other side, Thompson will be entering the fight having previously served a 180-day medical suspension due to various injuries. While Burns likely has the grappling edge, Thompson owns a 78 percent takedown defense, in addition to being one of the most technical strikers in the division. With the fight two months out, early oddsmakers peg Burns as a slight underdog of approximately (+125).
This will be Burns' first trip to the Octagon since losing to Kamaru Usman back in February at the UFC Welterweight Championship. On the other side, Thompson will be entering the fight having previously served a 180-day medical suspension due to various injuries. While Burns likely has the grappling edge, Thompson owns a 78 percent takedown defense, in addition to being one of the most technical strikers in the division. With the fight two months out, early oddsmakers peg Burns as a slight underdog of approximately (+125).
Comes up short in title quest
Burns came up short in his quest for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Kamaru Usman via TKO (punches) at 0:34 of Round 3.
ANALYSIS
Burns had his moments, mostly notably a massive right hand that cracked Usman upside the ear just moments after the opening bell rang. Usman is now one of the most decorated welterweights in UFC history for a reason, however, and the champion hung on in the early going before completely turning the tables in Round 2. A notoriously durable fighter, Burns eventually had zero answers for the power of Usman. He was wobbled on multiple occasions in the second frame before being finished off early in Round 3. Quite honestly, it says far more about the ridiculous power of Usman than it does any concerns regarding Burns' chin. Burns was extremely emotional after the fight as he and Usman appeared to bury the hatchet regarding their brief feud. The loss snaps a six-fight win streak for Burns dating back to July 2018. Burns is more than talented enough to work his way back into the title picture, but it's going to be a long climb. The Brazilian turns 35 years of age this coming July and history says his best days are already behind him.
Burns had his moments, mostly notably a massive right hand that cracked Usman upside the ear just moments after the opening bell rang. Usman is now one of the most decorated welterweights in UFC history for a reason, however, and the champion hung on in the early going before completely turning the tables in Round 2. A notoriously durable fighter, Burns eventually had zero answers for the power of Usman. He was wobbled on multiple occasions in the second frame before being finished off early in Round 3. Quite honestly, it says far more about the ridiculous power of Usman than it does any concerns regarding Burns' chin. Burns was extremely emotional after the fight as he and Usman appeared to bury the hatchet regarding their brief feud. The loss snaps a six-fight win streak for Burns dating back to July 2018. Burns is more than talented enough to work his way back into the title picture, but it's going to be a long climb. The Brazilian turns 35 years of age this coming July and history says his best days are already behind him.
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.