The UFC is all set to host the promotion’s first event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas this weekend, and a few top welterweights hope the company’s title picture becomes a bit more clear.
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) and Gilbert Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) meet in Saturday’s main event, which airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+. Woodley checks in at No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, while Burns has already claimed the No. 12 spot with wins over Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson and Aleksei Kunchenko.
Of course, the welterweight division is filled with contenders hoping to unseat current champion Kamaru Usman. “BMF” titleholder Jorge Masvidal and British challenger Leon Edwards would certainly seem to have the inside track. But Colby Covington is still hoping for a rematch of their December clash, and Conor McGregor is a game-changing wild card that can pop up at any point.
Can Woodley or Burns do enough to separate themselves from the pack. We’ll find out Saturday night. In the meantime, take a look at the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings across all divisions.
