Dana White says Gilbert Burns is next for Kamaru Usman-Jorge Masvidal winner

ABU DHABI – Gilbert Burns is next.

According to UFC president Dana White, Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) will not lose his granted welterweight title shot. Being removed from UFC 251 delays his chance to capture gold, but Burns is still next in line.

“He’s the No. 1 contender,” White told MMA Junkie following Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins. “He’s the No. 1 ranked guy in the world. Yeah – he’s the No. 1 guy in the world. The kid is hungry. He wants to fight. He wants to be a world champion – and he’s No. 1. Yeah, that puts him in a pretty good spot.”

Last week, Burns was removed from the UFC 251 headliner vs. Kamaru Usman after testing positive for COVID-19 upon check-in to one of the UFC’s four hub cities, which the UFC was chartering planes through. Burns was then replaced by “BMF” champion Jorge Masvidal.

If White and the promotion stick with the plan, Burns will face the winner of Saturday’s UFC 251 main event between UFC welterweight champion Usman (16-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) and first-time UFC title challenger Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC).

Burns, 33, is currently riding a six-fight winning streak. He is undefeated since moving up to 170 pounds in August 2019, having defeated Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia and, most recently, Tyron Woodley, en route to a title shot.

UFC 251 takes place Saturday at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.