UFC 251's main event will not happen as scheduled.
MMA Junkie reported late Friday night that upcoming UFC Welterweight Title challenger Gilbert Burns has been pulled from his planned UFC 251 title fight with champion Kamaru Usman. The move has not yet been announced by the UFC.
Burns went from Florida to Las Vegas en route to Yas Island (Fight Island) in Abu Dhabi. While in Vegas, Gilbert Burns, his brother Herbert Burns, and coach Greg Jones all reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. None boarded the flight to Abu Dhabi, and neither did the champion Kamaru Usman. There's no word on what this means for his title defense.
Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos would be another Welterweight option on the show, as he's booked to face Muslim Salikhov. Dos Santos has won eight of his last nine fights. UFC 251 does feature two additional title fights -- both featuring challengers coming off of losses. Max Holloway challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the Featherweight crown, while Jose Aldo faces Petr Yan for the vacant Bantamweight title.
UFC 251 takes place July 11 from "Fight Island," also known as Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Fightful will have full, live coverage of the event, as well as preview and post-show podcasts.
