Following the conclusion of UFC 258, Kamaru Usman remained the undisputed UFC welterweight champion. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ survived an early scare and came back to finish Burns with multiple power shots.
‘Durinho’ started strong but quickly fell out of the fight. Not to mention, Usman’s jab was money all night long and the 33-year-old picked up the pace when he saw that the technique hurt Gilbert Burns.
Kamaru Usman has now surpassed Georges St-Pierre’s record for consecutive wins and is on his way towards all-time welterweight greatness. With his latest round 3 finish over Gilbert Burns, he’ll expect his name to be mentioned amongst the elites.
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Twitter reacts as Kamaru Usman earns TKO over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
The Apex Facility was buzzing with a familiar feeling of a UFC championship fight around the corner as the welterweights made the walk. Fans and fellow fighters made sure to chime in as the bright lights hit the octagon canvas. As the fight played out, Twitter remained heavily active.
Let’s get it y’all! @ufc #UFC258
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) February 14, 2021
While the buzz for this fight isn't where it probably should've been heading in, I got those pre-main event title fight goosebumps. We're in for a good one, IMO. #UFC258
— Mike Heck (@MikeHeck_JR) February 14, 2021
Good luck to my bro @GilbertDurinho & @USMAN84kg ! #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/pYRJ8kIAkA
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 14, 2021
Burns or Usman?
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) February 14, 2021
Been looking forward to this fight since it was booked. May the best man win!
— michael (@bisping) February 14, 2021
The MMA community couldn’t contain their emotions following the first round as Burns dropped Usman to the canvas. ‘Durinho‘ was sharp and efficient with the strikes early on. However, the champion kept to a good jab and maintained a steady pace. The tide began to turn in the second round as Usman hammered Burns and stunned him.
This fight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #UFC258
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) February 14, 2021
Damn, Marty go rocked!
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 14, 2021
When you finally get a chance to bust your homeboy ass #UFC258
— Kareem Jackson (@ReemBoi25) February 14, 2021
Usman’s jab is his greatest weapon right now!
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) February 14, 2021
Once the fight entered the third round, things turned in favor of Usman who dropped Gilbert definitively early in the third, and he followed up with heavy ground strikes to finish him off. Fellow UFC champions came out in force and were sure to laud Kamaru Usman for his standout performance at UFC 258
He’s now heading toward the upper echelon of the fight game, and everyone seems to recognize that.
Usman came to play. Respect is earned. #UFC258
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 14, 2021
Congratulations my brother 👊👑🇳🇬#UFC258 pic.twitter.com/UHF5TTLLaN
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 14, 2021
UsmanRespect #UFC258
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 14, 2021
What an impressive performance by the champ! That jab was a game changer..
Sucks to have to fight a teammate like that but that's the fight game #UFC258
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) February 14, 2021
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Usman has that nasty in him but he really made the right adjustments and fought smart. That’s an excellent champion right there.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) February 14, 2021
Welcome to the club 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/UfRotzndNJ
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 14, 2021
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What did you make of ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’s’ dominant display in his third title defense in the UFC?