Kamaru Usman further cemented himself as one of the best welterweights of all-time last night (Sat. Feb. 13, 2021) at UFC 258 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Nigerian Nightmare” defeated Gilbert Burns via third-round TKO (punches) to defend his 170-pound title for a third-straight time.
The win pushes Usman’s UFC record to an astounding 13-0, surpassing Georges St-Pierre for most consecutive victories in the UFC’s welterweight division.
It was all Burns in the early going of this fight as the challenger leveled Usman with big rights and knees inside. Usman scored some shots when Burns temporarily fell to his back, but the Brazilian contender was setting the pace. Usman’s jab put the champ back in control to begin the second before a Burns right checked him again. Usman returned the favor with a massive right hand that rocked Burns. The challenger was hurt and Usman piled it on in volume for the remainder of the frame.
Usman kept busy straight out of the gate in the third as he landed a crisp lead jab that knocked Burns to the canvas. The champion quickly pursued and followed up with heavy ground-and-pound. Burns’ head started to bounce off the canvas and referee Herb Dean had to step in.
Check out the video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
Enter the No. 1 contender.
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
@GilbertDurinho is moments from potentially achieving his dreams!
[ LIVE on #ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/2xLd8lar4j ] pic.twitter.com/u1JuLe9y1u
The greatest welterweight on !
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
The Nightmare - @Usman84kg has arrived.
[ LIVE on #ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/2xLd8lar4j ] pic.twitter.com/TG2TZrK7P8
Oh... These two are READY TO GO!
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
[ LIVE on #ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/BCod56c8ey ] pic.twitter.com/EAOldym04Y
ROCKED! BURNS HAS THE CHAMP REELING! #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/HvPkyhYM7S
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
MY GOODNESS! The champ smells blood in the water #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/POk5EsdvND
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/FurU7SY99x
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
Win or lose, the chase for the belt means everything #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/oO8wWVl0Lh
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
Once friends, then foes.
— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021
Usman & Burns embrace at the conclusion on #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/uwPdtWQfHT
For more UFC 258 results and coverage click here.