Gilbert Burns was pulled from the UFC 251 main event opposite welterweight champ Kamaru Usman after evaluating positive for COVID-19. Fellow competitors Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington are each prepared to step in and fight.
Burns had been anticipated to challenge Usman following a blistering six-fight triumph run that includes two bouts currently this year, despite the pandemic. Now that pandemic has actually caught up to Burns and stalled his momentum.
He evaluated positive prior to boarding a plane in Las Vegas headed to UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
It is now unclear what occurs with Usman, but Masvidal and Covington both appear prepared to step in.
Masvidal has actually remained in the midst of a contract conflict with the UFC, so it stays to be seen if the promotion wants to move on its position now that its monstrous UFC 251 fight card has been interrupted. There are two other championship bouts slated for UFC 251, however the tripleheader was expected to be the quite the cherry on top of a stacked fight card.
Masvidals manager, Abraham Kawa, informed ESPNs Ariel Helwani that his fighter was “absolutely prepared” to action in and fight Usman. That, of course, does not resolve the agreement dispute. But provided the UFCs position of having an opposition drop out, it certainly offers Masvidal a bit more leverage.
There is another alternative though if the UFC opts to keep Usman on the UFC 251 battle card. Likewise talking with Helwani, Covington stated that he has actually remained ready for just such an opportunity, in reality expecting it to take place.
Ball is in the UFCs court,” he stated. “Im here to conserve the day against Marty (Usman) or Judas (Masvidal). Knew to be all set for this seven months ago.”
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What the UFC opts to do remains to be seen, however it appears they might keep the UFC 251 main occasion intact if they can pertain to terms with Usman and either Masvidal or Covington. Masvidal would appear to be the more rational match-up, as Usman is less than a year removed from a TKO blockage of Covington at UFC 245.
UFC 251 occurs on July 11. It starts a 15-day span that will see the UFC promote 4 occasions on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
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Masvidals supervisor, Abraham Kawa, told ESPNs Ariel Helwani that his fighter was “definitely prepared” to step in and combat Usman. Offered the UFCs position of having a challenger drop out, it definitely offers Masvidal a bit more take advantage of.
Ball is in the UFCs court,” he said. “Im here to save the day against Marty (Usman) or Judas (Masvidal).
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