Gilbert Burns will not contend in the main occasion of UFC 251, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Burns had actually been set to deal with welterweight champ Kamaru Usman in a title fight July 11 that was the headliner of the very first card at UFCs Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Burns, 33, appeared to reference his removal from the fight in a tweet early Saturday, composing “devastating news” and saying he is “not feeling well however Im going to win this fight.”
ravaging news, not feeling well however Im going to win this fight! Stay safe out there! Much love– GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 4, 2020
Mixed martial arts Junkie first reported that Burns would not contend at UFC 251. UFC has yet to validate his elimination from the battle.
UFCs charter flight from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi was arranged to depart late Friday night, sources said, but neither Usman nor Burns was on the flight. Neither was seen at the airport as well, sources stated.
1 RelatedBoth Jorge Masvidal and former title challenger Colby Covington took to Twitter late Friday night to campaign for the fight, but there is no word on what UFC will finish with Usman now.
Masvidals supervisor, Abraham Kawa, stated his fighter is “definitely ready” to take this bout on a weeks notification. Sources stated there havent been any talks with Covingtons group.
Burns group, sources stated, is confident the battle will be rescheduled.
The UFC 251 card includes a featherweight title rematch between Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway and Petr Yan taking on Jose Aldo for the uninhabited bantamweight champion. The Volkanovski vs. Holloway battle is now anticipated to serve as the primary occasion.
” This was the genuine centerpiece,” Volkanovski informed ESPN. “A lot of individuals believed this was the primary occasion, so its in its rightful place.”
Burns (19-3) has actually won his previous six fights. Since March, he has gotten excellent success over previous title contender Demian Maia and previous welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Those wins put him in a line for a title shot once UFC could not pertain to terms with the original No. 1 contender Masvidal.
Much love– GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 4, 2020
Burns (19-3) has won his past 6 battles. Since March, he has actually picked up remarkable success over previous title contender Demian Maia and previous welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Those wins put him in a line for a title shot when UFC could not come to terms with the original No. 1 competitor Masvidal.
