Sports

Jorge Masvidal responds to Kamaru Usman vs Gilbert Burns being cancelled due to Covid-19


Masvidal was the UFC’s original choice (Picture: Getty)

Jorge Masvidal appears ready to step in to face Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 after Gilbert Burns was pulled from the card due to a positive coronavirus test.

Burns was handed a surprise title shot at welterweight champion Usman after the UFC failed to come to terms with Masvidal and British contender Leon Edwards.

Masvidal has since publicly slammed the UFC for how much they pay their stars and revealed the MMA promotion wanted him to take a pay cut to fight Usman in Abu Dhabi during the Covid-19 crisis.

But after it was confirmed Burns was off the card, Masvidal posted a picture on Twitter which outlined the meaning of his nickname, ‘Gamebred’.

The description was: ‘Gamebred is an animal that has been bred to be game.’

Burns returned a positive test after flying from Florida to Las Vegas and did not get on his scheduled flight to Yas Island.

The welterweight’s two cornermen Herbert Burns and Greg Jones also tested positive and Usman was also stopped from boarding his flight.

Burns’ gym team-mate Aung La N Sang announced earlier this week he had also contracted coronavirus.

The Brazilian reacted to the news on Twitter, saying: ‘Devastating news, not feeling well but I’m going to win this battle! Stay safe out there! Much love.’

Former title contender Colby Covington has also offered to step in for Burns as he continues to campaign for a rematch with Usman.

While the UFC will be frustrated to lose the main event, UFC 251 has two other title fights on the ticket.

Alexander Volkanovski’s rematch with former featherweight champion Max Holloway is expected to top the card now and Jose Aldo and Petr Yan will contest the vacant bantamweight belt.

The UFC are expected to reschedule Usman vs Burns for a later date.

MORE: Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of UFC star Khabib, dies aged 57

MORE: UFC star Dustin Poirier tells Justin Gaethje how to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov

Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.