Then on-again, off-again UFC welterweight title fight between champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns has once again been delayed.
The bout was targeted for the main event of UFC 256 on Dec. 12, but has been postponed with the expectation the fight will happen sometime in early 2021. MMA Junkie confirmed a Monday report by ESPN.
The fight was first scheduled to headline UFC 251 in July in Abu Dhabi, but Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. This led to Jorge Masvidal accepting the fight on short notice, a bout Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) won on a one-sided unanimous decision.
Amanda Nunes’ featherweight title defense against Megan Anderson is also scheduled for UFC 256. According to the ESPN report, the UFC is looking into the possibility of adding heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou to the card, but termed the chances of making it happen as a “long shot.”
