Usman destroys Burns, retains UFC championship

The Nigerian Nightmare, Kamaru Usman showed all of his grit and technical ability as he defeated Gilbert Burns at the UFC 258 showdown to retain his UFC welterweight championship following a third round technical knockout.

Usman was facing Burns who was his former sparring partner and the fight got off to a great start with Burns picking Usman’s defences apart in the first round. Usman came back strongly in the second round, landing a number of good shots. The fight ended in the third round after a jab from Usman stunned Burns and sent him crashing to the ground, allowing Usman to punish him on the ground with a barrage of punches before the referee decided to stop the match and award the win to Kamaru Usman. Usman is now undefeated in 13 UFC matches and remains the man to beat in the welterweight division.

Burns, who had waited 6 years for a championship shot was overcome by emotions after the fight as he shed tears, before Usman announced his intent to have a rematch with Jorge Masvidal after the match.