UFC is returning to action this Sunday as the UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman (17-1-0) defends his title against Gilbert Burns (19-3-0) at UFC 258 which is set to be held at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Usman was originally slated to face Burns at UFC 251 in July last year, However, the fight was postponed after both Burns and his coach Greg Jones tested positive for COVID-19. The duo was slated to face against at UFC 256 in December, but this time “Nigerian Nightmare” decided to pull out from the fight himself, claiming that he was not fully recovered from undisclosed injuries.
Nonetheless, UFC 258 will mark Usman’s third title defense since he clinched the welterweight belt against Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 on 2nd March 2019 in Las Vegas. Since then, the 33-year-old successfully defended his title against Colby Covington at UFC 245. Usman faced Burns’ replacement Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251 for his second title defense, which was also the last time the Nigerian-American was seen in action inside the octagon.
A former lightweight, Burns returned to welterweight at UFC Fight Night 156 where he defeated Alexey Kunchenko. His last appearance dates back to 30th May last year when Burns headlined UFC on ESPN 9 against Tyron Woodley, winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Heading into the fight, Kamaru Usman (1.40) is the heavy favourite to win the match and mark his third straight successful title defense, while his longtime teammate Gilbert Burns (3.00) serves as the underdog.
Let’s compare the fight metrics:
Kamaru Usman:
Significant Strikes Landed per Minute: 4.50
Significant Striking Accuracy: 53%
Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute: 2.23
Significant Strike Defence (the % of opponents strikes that did not land): 58%
Average Takedowns Landed per 15 minutes: 3.38
Takedown Accuracy: 47%
Takedown Defense (the % of opponents TD attempts that did not land): 100%
Average Submissions Attempted per 15 minutes: 0.1
Gilbert Burns:
Significant Strikes Landed per Minute: 3.15
Significant Striking Accuracy: 46%
Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute: 2.74
Significant Strike Defence (the % of opponents strikes that did not land): 56%
Average Takedowns Landed per 15 minutes: 2.21
Takedown Accuracy: 37%
Takedown Defense (the % of opponents TD attempts that did not land): 50%
Average Submissions Attempted per 15 minutes: 0.7
Betting Tips:
CLICK HERE TO BET ON THIS FIGHT CARD
Welterweight: Kamaru Usman (1.40) vs Gilbert Burns (3.00)
Prediction: Kamaru Usman defeats Gilbert Burns.
Women’s Flyweight: Maycee Barber (2.00) vs Alexa Grasso (1.80)
Prediction: Alexa Grasso defeats Maycee Barber
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum (1.44) vs Ian Heinisch (2.75)
Prediction: Kelvin Gastelum defeats Ian Heinsch
Middleweight: Maki Pitolo (2.40) vs Julian Marquez (1.53)
Prediction: Julian Marquez beats Maki Pitolo.
Lightweight: Bobby Green (1.36) vs Jim Miller (3.10)
Prediction: The fight goes the distance.