Negotiations are underway for a potential welterweight title fight between reigning champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal.
According to sources speaking to MMA Fighting on Saturday, talks are underway to potentially book the matchup for UFC 251 after Gilbert Burns was ruled out of the main event after he tested positive for COVID-19. Burns was originally supposed to fly to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, but he didn’t board his flight after the test results were returned.
While it appears Burns dropping off the card essentially removed Usman as well, the promotion is apparently making an attempt to save the main event with talks under way to secure Masvidal as an opponent.