Two former training partners went to war on Saturday night and the welterweight king retained his belt. UFC 258 was headlined by 170-pound champion Kamaru Usman and No. 2 ranked Gilbert Burns.
Burns came out strong, stinging the champion multiple times during the first round. However, “The Nigerian Nightmare” seemingly turned the tide in the second round, hurting Burns on the feet. And in the third round, Usman put the stamp on “Durinho,” finishing him via TKO.
With the victory, Usman broke the former middleweight and welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre’s record for the longest win streak in the UFC’s 170-pound division. He has won 13 fights in a row and defended his strap for the third time.
GettyKamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns staredown ahead of their UFC 258 championship bout.
ALL the latest UFC news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Heavy on UFC newsletter here!
Sign up for the Heavy on UFC Newsletter!
Justin Gaethje, Others React to Usman’s TKO Over Burns
Usman’s friends and colleagues took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his impressive victory.
No. 2 ranked lightweight and Usman’s training partner Justin Gaethje tweeted, “You wish you could see us spar. @USMAN84kg only guy I train with that gets stronger as the round gets higher. Also a work ethic second to none.”
You wish you could see us spar. @USMAN84kg only guy I train with that gets stronger as the round gets higher. Also a work ethic second to none. 🙏
Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones wrote, “Welcome to the club.”
Welcome to the club 💪🏾
No. 1 ranked heavyweight Francis Ngannou wrote, “That JAB was everything” and “Congratulations my brother.”
Congratulations my brother 👊👑🇳🇬
#UFC258
No. 5 ranked welterweight Stephen Thompson wrote, “Well seeing as how I’m the only guy in the top 5 that Usman hasn’t fought yet….I guess I’m next…makes sense right? Great performance @USMAN84kg!”
Well seeing as how I’m the only guy in the top 5 that Usman hasn’t fought yet….I guess I’m next…makes sense right? Great performance @USMAN84kg ! #ufc258
No. 4 ranked lightweight Michael Chandler wrote, “Had a feeling Gilbert could pull it out. But Kamaru remains an unsolvable problem at this point. The champ is beyond good.”
Had a feeling Gilbert could pull it out. But Kamaru remains an unsolvable problem at this point. The champ is beyond good. #ufc258
No. 6 ranked welterweight Michael Chiesa wrote, “I can’t imagine what it would be like to fight a teammate. Kudos to both men @USMAN84kg and @GilbertDurinho. Great performance.”
I can’t imagine what it would be like to fight a teammate. Kudos to both men @USMAN84kg and @GilbertDurinho. Great performance. #UFC258
Welterweight star Mike Perry wrote, “Usman kept his composure. Burns started strong but usman was Unphased.”
Usman kept his composure. Burns started strong but usman was Unphased.
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway wrote, “Usman came to play. Respect is earned.”
Usman came to play. Respect is earned. #UFC258
No. 1 ranked bantamweight Aljamain Sterling wrote, “WOW!!! That’s a BAAAAD MAN!”
WOW!!! That’s a BAAAAD MAN!
#UFC258
Follow the Heavy on UFC Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!
UFC 258 Full Fight Card Results
Here are the results from the nine-fight UFC 258 event:
Main Card
Welterweight Championship: Kamaru Usman def. Gilbert Burns via third-round TKO
Women’s Flyweight: Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum def. Ian Heinisch via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Ricky Simon def. Brian Kelleher via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Middleweight: Julian Marquez def. Maki Pitolo via third-round submission (anaconda choke)
Preliminary Card
Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez def. Rodolfo Vieira via second-round submission (guillotine choke)
Welterweight: Belal Muhammad def. Dhiego Lima via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Women’s Strawweight: Polyana Viana def. Mallory Martin via first-round submission (armbar)
140-pound Catchweight: Chris Gutierrez def. Andre Ewell via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
Early Preliminary Card
Welterweight: Gabriel Green def. Philip Rowe via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
READ NEXT: UFC Star Closes Door on Fighting Conor McGregor: ‘It’s In the Past’
Comments
Fighters React to Kamaru Usman’s Electric Win at UFC 258