Welterweight contender Gilbert Burns will not compete in the main event of UFC 251. The 33-year-old was slated to fight the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, for the title on July 11 at UFC's Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Burns had flown from Florida, where had been training for UFC 251, to Las Vegas, the promotion's hub city where athletes are tested for COVID-19 before flying out to Abu Dhabi. MMA Junkie was first to report the news of Burns' positive COVID-19 test. His brother and cornerman, Herbert Burns, and coach Greg Jones also tested positive.
Burns took to social media early Saturday to confirm the "devastating news," adding "not feeling well but I'm going to win this battle!"
With Burns temporarily out of the equation, both Jorge Masvidal and former title challenger Colby Covington took to social media to throw their hat in the ring to challenge Usman for the title. Many had originally expected Masvidal to fight Usman at UFC 251, but a contract dispute opened the door for a surging Burns, who picked up wins over Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley, to earn a shot at the welterweight champion instead.
However, the UFC has not issued an official response and Usman reportedly also did not board the flight to Abu Dhabi, suggesting the promotion won't try to find a last-minute replacement for the UFC 251 headliner. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway were supposed to meet in the co-main event, which will now likely be bumped to the main event. The card also features a match between Jose Aldo and Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight belt.