Report: Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns Off UFC 256 Card

By FIGHTSPORTS Oct 5, 2020

Kamaru Usman will not be defending his UFC Welterweight Championship on December 12.

It was first reported that Usman vs. Gilbert Burns was set to headline UFC 256. This was set to be the third title defense for Usman. UFC President Dana White later confirmed the reports but plans have changed.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani is reporting that Usman needed more time to prepare for the fight, which means the title bout is no longer taking place on December 12.

The Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns UFC welterweight title is off on Dec. 12, per sources. It doesn’t have a new date at the moment, but current talk is January of February. Usman needs a little more time. No new main event yet for UFC 256.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 5, 2020

“The Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns UFC welterweight title is off on Dec. 12, per sources. It doesn’t have a new date at the moment, but current talk is January of February. Usman needs a little more time. No new main event yet for UFC 256.”

Usman is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal. “The Nigerian Nightmare” was supposed to face Burns on that night but “Durinho” tested positive for COVID-19, forcing a last-minute change.

UFC 256 is expected to feature a Women’s Featherweight Title clash between champion Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson. As Helwani mentioned in his report, there is no new main event for UFC 256 at this time. While it’s possible that Nunes vs. Anderson could get promoted, that isn’t the case currently.