UFC President Dana White told ESPN that the company is in the process of finalizing a welterweight title fight between current champion Kamaru Usman and No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns. The highly anticipated bout is being eyed as the main event for UFC 256 on December 12.
Burns was supposed to fight Usman at UFC 251 on July 11 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, but was forced to withdraw from the event after testing positive for COVID-19. He was replaced with the UFC's BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, who took the fight on just five days notice. Usman cruised to a unanimous decision win over Masvidal. His approach to attack Usman in the clinch with body strikes, foot stomps and shoulder thrusts was effective, but not very exciting.
Usman currently boasts a 17-1 record (12-0 in the UFC) and is riding a 16-fight win streak. He has been challenged for the belt twice since beating Tyron Woodley in March 2019 and has successfully defended it both times, against Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. He has not fought since July of this year.
On the flip side, Gilbert Burns is one of the hottest fighters in the welterweight division right now with impressive wins over Demian Maia and former champion Tyron Woodley. He's 4-0 since returning to the welterweight division last year and has not lost since being knocked out by Dan Hooker at UFC 226 in July 2018.
Usman and Burns would serve as the main event for a UFC 256 PPV that already features a featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson. It was previously reported that the card could also feature a rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz although ESPN says that fight will likely happen in January.