UFC 258 live results: Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The UFC holds its’ second pay-per-view event of the year from their home base in Las Vegas, featuring the return of one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport defending his championship.

UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman makes his third defense of the title when he takes on former teammate Gilbert Burns in the main event. These two were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 251 in July, but Burns was forced out after testing positive for COVID. Usman went on to fight, and defeat, Jorge Masvidal to extend his win streak to 16 straight. Burns is fighting for the first time since a win over former champion Tyron Woodley in May, and comes in on a six-fight win streak.

In the rest of the main card fights, Maycee Barber returns from injury layoff to take on Alexa Grasso in a women’s flyweight bout, middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Ian Heinisch square off, middleweights Maki Pitolo and Julian Marquez battle, Ricky Simon and Brian Kelleher meet in a short-notice fight that will take place at featherweight to kick off the main card.

In notable prelim fights, middleweight submission specialist Rodolfo Vieira returns to take on Anthony Hernandez, welterweights Belal Muhammad and Dhiego Lima square off, Andre Ewell battles Chris Gutierrez in a short-notice catchweight bout.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

> Gabe Green (9-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Phil Rowe (7-2, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Rowe is making his UFC debut. Rowe landing the calf kicks early on. Rowe lands a right hand. Green. They’re trading kicks. They exchange punches before Green clinches with Rowe against the fence. Green gets a takedown but Rowe is able to sweep to the top and is in the half-guard. Rowe moves to the mount then moves to side control then moves to the mount near the fence. Green goes for a leg lock as Rowe stands. Rowe gets back to the half-guard and keeps control. He takes the back and is looking for Green’s arm. They scramble to their feet. Green has a standing arm-triangle and they go to the mat. Green looks for a bulldog choke as he tries to take the back then switches to guillotine before Rowe escapes. Nice first round. 10-9 Rowe.

Green lands a leg kick and Rowe slips to the mat and Green gets on top. They stand and Green lands a right hand and then is landing several punches as Rowe looks to circle around. Rowe with some body kicks. Green lands a kick to the groin of Rowe and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Green rocks Rowe with a right hand and is landing some punches before they clinch. They break and Green lands a punch to the groin of Rowe and we have another time out. They get back to action and both landing punches. Rowe lands a knee and has a standing guillotine but Green escapes. Rowe looking for a takedown against the fence. Green reverses and they reverse again. They break and Green lands some punches. Rowe lands a right hand and then a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Rowe with a body kick. Rowe goes for a takedown and eats a left hand as they break. Rowe with a leg kick. Green with a leg kick. Green lands another kick and Rowe falls to the mat. Green gets on top and lands some short punches. Rowe reverses and ends the second on top. 10-9 Green, 19-19.

Rowe pressing forward to start the third. Green with a leg kick and Rowe’s lead leg is hurting bad. Green tries a head kick but Rowe grabs the leg. Rowe gets a takedown and is in the guard of Green. Green with some body punches from the bottom. Rowe tries to posture up and Green goes for a heel hook. They scramble, almost get to their feet then Rowe gets a takedown and is in the full mount. Rowe looking to transition and Green is trying to scramble to Rowe’s back. Green lands a couple more body punches. Rowe stands and then gets back into the half-guard of Green. Rowe gets to the mount and is looking to set up an arm-triangle choke as Green grabs the fence. They scramble to their feet. They separate and Green lands a right hand as Rowe lands a leg kick. Green lands a leg kick and Rowe falls back down and Green gets on top and Rowe scrambles up and has the body lock. Rowe’s leg is completely done for. They break. Rowe goes for a late takedown as the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Rowe, 29-28 Rowe.

Official Result- Gabe Green def. Phil Rowe by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Andre Ewell (17-6, 4-2 UFC) vs. Chris Gutierrez (15-3-2, 3-1-1 UFC)
140-pound Catchweights

This fight was put together early in the week. Ewell throwing punches right away. Gutierrez with a body kick. Gutierrez lands a knee and then a low kick. Ewell attacks the body. Ewell lands a left hand. He lands another. They trade punches. Gutierrez with a body kick. Ewell lands a looping left hand. They clinch and both land body shots. Gutierrez lands a knee to the body as they break. Ewell lands a body punch. Gutierrez drops Ewell with a head kick late and lands a big right hand. Strong finish by Gutierrez. 10-9 Gutierrez.

Ewell lands some punches to start the second. They are trading to start the round. Both looking for openings as Ewell still looks stunned from the head kick. Gutierrez lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands another. Ewell lands a leg kick. Gutierrez with a body kick and Ewell counters with a left hand. Ewell with a spin kick. Gutierrez with a body kick. Ewell lands a combo. Ewell gets a takedown. Ewell tries to get on top but Gutierrez sweeps to the top. Ewell gets a heel hook. 10-9 Ewell, 19-19.

They trade leg kicks. Gutierrez with a leg kick. They’re trading kicks. Gutierrez lands a leg kick and then stuns Ewell with a right hand. Gutierrez now landing more. Gutierrez with a head kick. They clinch against the fence but break. Gutierrez with a leg kick and Ewell lands a spinning back fist but his legs are hurt. Gutierrez with a combo. Gutierrez with a leg kick. Gutierrez with a Superman punch and then gets a late takedown and ends the fight on top. 10-9 Gutierrez, 29-28 Gutierrez.

Official Result- Chris Gutierrez def. Andre Ewell by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)

> Polyana Viana (11-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Mallory Martin (7-3, 1-1 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Martin lands a couple of right hands. Martin gets a takedown and is in the guard of Viana. Viana gets a triangle choke locked in and is switching to the armbar. Viana landing elbows from the bottom. It is locked in deep. Martin defending and then Viana gets it locked in deeper and Martin taps! Viana with the big submission win. 

Official Result- Polyana Viana def. Mallory Martin by submission (armbar) at 3:18 of Round 1

> Belal Muhammad (#13, 17-3, 8-3 UFC) vs. Dhiego Lima (15-7, 4-5 UFC)
Welterweights

Muhammad lands a quick combo and they clinch against the fence but break. We have an eye poke on Muhammad and a brief timeout. They get back to action and Muhammad pressing forward and throwing. Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad with a body kick. Muhammad with a combo. Lima with a leg kick. Muhammad with a combo. Muhammad with more punches. Muhammad with a combo. Muhammad landing significantly more as the round ends. 10-9 Muhammad.

Muhammad with more pressure to start the second and throwing the jab. They trade kicks. Lima with the jab. Muhammad switching stances and landing. Lima just misses a hard right hand. Muhammad with a body kick. Muhammad lands a right hand and then a combo against the fence. Lima with a nice leg kick. Muhammad with a right hand and Lima counters with a hard leg kick. Muhammad still landing combos but Lima is hurting his lead leg with the kick. Muhammad with a combo. Muhammad with the double jab. Lima with another leg kick. Muhammad lands a nice left hand. Lima with another leg kick and Muhammad switching his stances. Muhammad lands some left hands as they’re tied up and they break. Lima lands a couple of leg kicks. Lima with more leg kicks. They clinch at the end of the round. 10-9 Muhammad, 20-18 Muhammad.

Muhammad coming forward and landing combos and Lima pokes him in the eye and we have a timeout, but get back to action quickly. Muhammad with a high kick and Lima counters with a leg kick. Muhammad gets the body lock against the fence and is trying to get Lima to the mat. They break and Muhammad shoots again but Lima defends. They break and are trading and Muhammad with a combo. Lima lands an uppercut to the body. Lima with a body kick. Muhammad pressuring forward and landing more. Muhammad with a high kick and lands a few elbows. Muhammad with a left hand. Muhammad rocks Lima with a right hand. Lima tries a takedown but Muhammad defends. Muhammad with a right hand. Muhammad tries a takedown but Lima defends and lands a body kick as they break. Muhammad with a takedown and gets the back as they stand back up. 10-9 Muhammad, 30-27 Muhammad.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Dhiego Lima by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Rodolfo Vieira (7-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Anthony Hernandez (7-2 1 NC, 1-2 UFC)
Middleweights

Vieira gets an immediate takedown against the fence. Hernandez gives up his back and Vieira looking for a choke. Vieira moves to the mount and Hernandez is in tons of trouble. Vieira looking to set up an arm-triangle choke but then moves his shin across the neck as he looks for an armbar. Hernandez is able to scramble to his feet but Vieira gets a takedown against the fence. They get to their feet and Vieira has Hernandez pressured against the fence. They break and Hernandez is winging punches as Vieira is trying for a takedown. Hernandez rocks Vieira with a right hand and then has a choke locked in but Vieira squirms out. Hernandez has the neck as they’re on the mat and they stand and break. Vieira tries a takedown but Hernandez defends. Hernandez rocks Vieira again. Vieira tries a takedown and is exhausted. Hernandez lands punches and is rocking Vieira as he’s circling away. Vieira gets a takedown. Vieira is gassed out. Hernandez has a triangle choke locked in at the end. 10-9 Hernandez.

Vieira is looking for a takedown but Hernandez is lighting him up on the feet. Hernandez with more big punches. Hernandez with a big elbow as they’re clinched. Vieira tries a takedown but Hernandez defends and gets the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Vieira taps! What a finish! Hernandez just tapped out arguably the best jiu-jitsu specialist in the world, amazing performance.

Official Result- Anthony Hernandez def. Rodolfo Vieira by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:53 of Round 2

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Maki Pitolo (13-7, 1-3 UFC) vs. Julian Marquez (7-2, 1-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Pitolo comes right forward, lands an uppercut and they clinch up against the fence. Pitolo lands some punches and then gets a takedown and is on top. Pitolo with some left hands from the top as he has Marquez pinned to the mat. Pitolo looking to get his arm under the chin. Marquez gets away from it and Pitolo still has the back against the fence. They get to their feet. Pitolo gets another brief takedown. Marquez tries a trip and then gets the neck and has a standing guillotine on Pitolo but Pitolo escapes. They break and Marquez lands some big punches before the end of the round. 10-9 Pitolo.

They trade to start the second and Marquez is looking to land a big right hand. Marquez coming forward with punches. Marquez with a groin strike and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Pitolo grabs the body against the fence. Pitolo tries a takedown but Marquez grabs the neck and is looking for a guillotine. He has the neck and it is in tight but Pitolo rolls out. Marquez gets the back and is landing punches. Marquez gets too high on the back and Pitolo ends up on top and lands some punches. Pitolo then gets to the full mount. Pitolo looks for an arm-triangle. Pitolo gets to the half-guard and is landing punches. He ends the round in that position. 10-9 Pitolo, 20-18 Pitolo.

Pitolo with a leg kick. Marquez with a combo as he’s trying to finish this. They trade left hooks. Marquez with a right hand. Marquez with a combo. Marquez with a hard body kick. Marquez with a big knee and then an elbow. Pitolo going for a takedown. He gets it and is working from the top. Pitolo gets the back and is looking for a choke and has it locked in but Marquez able to escape. Marquez gets the back and is landing punches. They get to their feet. Pitolo trying to get the single leg. They break. Both men are tired. Pitolo has the back standing. Marquez gets out and is landing big punches. Marquez rocks Pitolo and then lands a big knee. Pitolo tries a desperation takedown and Marquez goes for a guillotine and then switches to a D’arce choke and Pitolo taps! What a great comeback by Marquez as he wins in his return from over two years out of action.

Official Result- Julian Marquez def. Maki Pitolo by submission (anaconda choke) at 4:17 of Round 3

> Ricky Simon (17-3, 5-2 UFC) vs. Brian Kelleher (22-11, 6-4 UFC)
Featherweights

They trade left hooks and Simon gets a takedown and is working from the top in the middle of the Octagon. Simon with some right hands as Kelleher is trying to get to the fence. Kelleher is cut open under his eye. Simon gets the back and is landing as they stand. Simon with a knee. Simon with some more knees. Simon gets Kelleher back down. Simon trying to find an arm-triangle choke. Kelleher able to get Simon to let go as Simon remains top control. They scramble to their feet and break. Simon gets a takedown. Simon tries for an arm-triangle again but Kelleher defending. They stand and break. Kelleher with a leg kick. Simon lands a right hand. Simon with a leg kick. 10-9 Simon.

Kelleher with a leg kick as Simon lands a left hand to the body. Simon lands a couple of jabs. Kelleher lands a front kick to the face. Simon with a left hook to the body and then they trade leg kicks. Kelleher with a body kick. Simon with a right hand. Kelleher with a front kick and Simon gets a takedown and lands a couple of hammerfists before they stand. Kelleher with a leg kick. They trade punches. Simon with a right hand. Kelleher with a leg kick and then a left hand. Simon with a couple of leg kicks. Simon gets a takedown against the fence. Simon with a knee to the leg of Kelleher before they stand. They clinch against the fence and Simon with some body punches before they break. Simon lands a right hand. Kelleher with a left hand. 10-9 Simon, 20-18 Simon.

Simon with an inside leg kick. Simon goes high with a kick. Simon with a combo ending with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence and both reverse position. Kelleher grabs the neck and drops down for a guillotine but Simon quickly pops out and is on top landing. Kelleher trying for a kimura but Simon is firmly positioned on top. Simon now looking for a kimura but Kelleher escapes to the sprawl position. They get to their feet. Simon gets the back of Kelleher. Simon with some knees to the butt of Kelleher. They break and both land. Kelleher with a leg kick. Kelleher with a front kick to the body. 10-9 Simon, 30-27 Simon.

Official Result- Ricky Simon def. Brian Kelleher by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Kelvin Gastelum (#9, 15-6 1 NC, 10-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Ian Heinisch (#15, 14-3, 3-2 UFC)
Middleweights

Heinisch with an inside leg kick to start. Heinisch gets a takedown but Gastelum gets up. They roll and end up standing and clinched against the fence. Heinisch going for a kimura as they go to the mat. Gastelum escapes and has the back of Heinisch as they get to their feet. Heinisch gets a takedown and is looking for a kimura. Gastelum escapes and gets the mount. Heinisch is able to escape and they scramble up. Gastelum with an inside leg kick. Heinisch with a body kick. Gastelum gets a takedown but they quickly work their way to the feet. They break. Heinisch lands a right hand. 10-9 Gastelum.

They trade leg kicks. Heinisch with a right hand. Heinisch shoots for a takedown but Gastelum defends. Heinisch goes for a flying knee but Gastelum grabs him and slams him to the ground and is working in the half-guard and lands an elbow. They get to their feet and Heinisch with a high kick. Gastelum with a leg kick and then clinches against the fence. Gastelum working for the takedown and Heinisch doing a good job of defending. They break the tie-up. Gastelum with the left hand. Gastelum with a left hand and Heinisch counters with a body kick. Gastelum gets the back as the round ends. 10-9 Gastelum, 20-18 Gastelum.

Gastelum with a leg kick. Heinisch with a step-in elbow and then a right hand. Heinisch gets a brief takedown but Gastelum scrambles up and ties-up with Heinisch against the fence. Gastelum takes the back standing. Gastelum with a left upperhook. Gastelum with a combo. Heinisch lands a flying knee but Gastelum grabs him and scores the takedown. Gastelum gets side control but Heinisch sweeps and gets the back of Gastelum and has the hooks in. Heinisch landing from the back as Gastelum sweeps to the top. They get to their feet. They tie up and Gastelum lands a couple of knees. They break and Gastelum with a right hand. Heinisch gets a brief takedown but they scramble up and are against the fence before separating. Heinisch gets a takedown near the end of the fight na dlands some punches as Gastelum gets to his feet and Gastelum with a takedown at the end. 10-9 Gastelum, 30-27 Gastelum.

Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Ian Heinisch by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Maycee Barber (#10, 8-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Alexa Grasso (#15, 12-3, 4-3 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Grasso with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Barber with a left hand and they clinch. Grasso with some punches and knees to the body of Barber. They trade as they break. Grasso with the jab. They clinch against the fence and Grasso with some short left hands. Barber with a shoulder strike and Grasso counters with an elbow. Barber with a knee. They trade knees. Barber with an elbow as they break. Grasso lands a left hand. Grasso with a leg kick. They trade big punches against the fence. They clinch and Grasso with some knees. Close round. 10-9 Grasso.

Both throwing but neither landing to start the second. Grasso lands a combo. Grasso lands the left hand. Barber just misses a head kick. Grasso lands a big combo that rocks Barber. Barber clinches with Grasso against the fence. Grasso lands a combo as they break and then they clinch again. They break and Grasso with a leg kick. Barber with a body kick. Grasso with a body kick and she slips to the mat and Barber gets on top. Grasso looking for the arm as she’s on the bottom but she uses it to transition to the top in side control and has Barber’s arm trapped. Grasso gets the back and is working for a choke but time runs out on the round. 10-9 Grasso, 20-18 Grasso.

Barber throwing and she’s doing a good job of landing to the air. They clinch and Grasso pushes Barber against the fence. Barber gets a takedown and lands some big punches and they scramble up. Barber throwing big shots and landing. They are swinging against the fence. They trade as they break and Barber lands a good left hand. They are clinched and Barber is going for it as she lands an elbow but Grasso is able to reverse it. They break and Barber throwing but Grasso lands some punches. Barber gets a late takedown. Good fight. 10-9 Barber, 29-28 Grasso.

Official Result- Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Kamaru Usman (C, 17-1, 12-0 UFC) vs. Gilbert Burns (#1, 20-3, 12-3 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Usman refuses to touch gloves. Burns with a body kick. Burns lands a right hand that stuns Usman. Burns hurts Usman again with more punches. Burns tries a head kick and Usman defends and Burns falls to the mat and wants Usman to come down to the ground. Usman kicking Burns’ legs while standing. Burns with a body kick from the ground. Usman with more leg kicks as Burns has his back on the mat. Usman with a right hand to the body. Usman with hard leg kicks and Burns gets to his feet. They trade. Usman with a leg kick. Burns with a leg kick and Usman lands a counter one. Burns with a right hand. Usman landing the jab. Burns tries for a high kick and shoots but Usman defends. Usman blocks a head kick attempt from Burns. Burns with a late combo. Close round. 10-9 Burns.

Usman lands the jab. He lands another. They trade and Usman with another good jab. Burns with some kicks. Usman landing the jab. They trade punches. Usman stuns Burns with the jab. Usman rocks Burns with a right hand. Usman lands some follow-up punches that hurt Burns. Burns tries a takedown but Usman defends. Usman lands another right hand and the jab and Burns is struggling to stand. Usman with more right hands. Usman landing with some kicks as Burns is still trying to gather his bearings. Usman with the jab and Burns falls to the mat. He lets Burns up. Usman with the jab. Burns lands a nice combo. Usman with a leg kick. Burns tries a takedown again but Usman defends again. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.

Burns with a leg kick. Usman with a right hand that drops Burns. Usman gets on top and is landing and landing more and Herb Dean stops it! Usman with the finish in the third round as he remains the welterweight champion.

Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Gilbert Burns by TKO (punches) at :34 of Round 3 to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship