UFC 251 Preview: Gilbert Burns Historical UFC Closing Odds

Gilbert Burns looks to add a seventh straight victory and a shiny gold belt to his winning streak on July 11 when he meets UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of the UFC 251 pay-per-view card from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. 

Burns began his UFC run with a win in the welterweight division. After that victory, he dropped to lightweight where he went 7-3. In August 2019, Burns, who was on a two-fight winning streak, decided it was time to go back up to the 170-pound weight division. 

That decision turned out to be wise.

Burns quickly made a name for himself at welterweight when he upset former M-1 Global welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko. Burns then went on to put up wins over respected competitors Gunnar Nelson and Demian Maia. In May of this year, Burns made the biggest statement of his career when he defeated former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley by one-sided decision. That win earned Burns the No. 1 ranking and the shot at Usman.

It should be noted that Burns did not move to welterweight until August 2019. If he beats Usman, he will have gone from unranked fighter to welterweight champion in the span of five fights and 11 months.

Here is a look at Burns’ closing odds ahead of his matchup against Usman.