The main event of UFC 258 between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns was filled with emotion. The friends and teammates built up to a high level of intensity in the lead-up to the fight, and then unleashed it against one another inside the cage at the UFC Apex on Saturday night.
After Burns came out of the gate hot and hurt Usman, the defending UFC welterweight champion, Usman, ultimately earned the TKO victory over Burns in the third round. The pair embraced in a long hug in the middle of the cage in the aftermath of the fight, seemingly mending any lingering hard feelings.
UFC fighters immediately took to social media to discuss the knockout, the fight, the embrace and more.
Congratulations my brother 👊👑🇳🇬#UFC258 pic.twitter.com/UHF5TTLLaN
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 14, 2021
Respect over everything! https://t.co/KDN7NRJf27
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) February 14, 2021
You wish you could see us spar. @USMAN84kg only guy I train with that gets stronger as the round gets higher. Also a work ethic second to none. 🙏
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) February 14, 2021
Well seeing as how I’m the only guy in the top 5 that Usman hasn’t fought yet….I guess I’m next…makes sense right? Great performance @USMAN84kg ! #ufc258
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) February 14, 2021
What an impressive performance by the champ! That jab was a game changer..
Sucks to have to fight a teammate like that but that’s the fight game #UFC258
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) February 14, 2021
Usman came to play. Respect is earned. #UFC258
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 14, 2021
Had a feeling Gilbert could pull it out. But Kamaru remains an unsolvable problem at this point. The champ is beyond good. #ufc258
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 14, 2021
Kamaru Usman is a bad man!!!!! @USMAN84kg #andstill
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 14, 2021
WOW!!! That’s a BAAAAD MAN!#UFC258
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 14, 2021
I can’t imagine what it would be like to fight a teammate. Kudos to both men @USMAN84kg and @GilbertDurinho. Great performance. #UFC258
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 14, 2021
Dang the moment Kamaru and Gilbert spent after the fight shows how emotional combative sports are. Both guys showed tremendous heart tonight, great to watch.
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) February 14, 2021
Congrats @USMAN84kg
You rep the division well!!! 🏆#ufc258
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) February 14, 2021
Burns looked great in the first. I’m sure he’ll be back 👏🏽 #UFC258
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 14, 2021
Still never been taken down @USMAN84kg
Damn impressive
— Beast Boy (@MikeDavisMMA) February 14, 2021