Many of the questions that UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is fielding in the days leading up to his next title defense swirls around the narrative that he’s about to face a former teammate and friend in Gilbert Burns.
For the better part of eight years through various locations and team names, Usman and Burns counted on each other to get ready for fights, often times sparring for numerous rounds during a training camp as each sought to become the best in the sport.
Usman made it to the top of the ladder first as he conquered the 170-pound division but Burns ascended in rapid fashion with his rise to No.