LAS VEGAS – Jim Miller spoke to the media ahead of UFC 258 at Wednesday’s media day with reporters.

Miller (32-15 MMA, 21-14 UFC) answered questions from MMA Junkie and other media members ahead of his lightweight bout with Bobby Green (27-11-1 MMA, 8-6-1 UFC) about wanting to hit 40 career UFC fights, taking another short-notice matchup and much more.

UFC 258 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Watch the video of Miller’s complete pre-fight media availability above.

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Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-258-jim-miller-still-motivated-by-fighting-the-best

It’s no secret there’s a shared past between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.

The two UFC welterweights trained for many years together under the tutelage of Henri Hooft in South Florida. However, that’s no longer the case, as Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) are set to clash on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 258 in Las Vegas. Usman defends his 170-pound title for a third time against first-time challenger Burns.

Burns continued training with Hooft in South Florida, and Burns moved his training to Colorado so he can work with renowned striking coach Trevor Wittman. Usman’s departure from the team was cordial, and the two fighters have been respectful in the lead-up to UFC 258.

With just a couple of days left until their championship fight, Burns released footage of what he says is the last time he shared the mat with Burns. You can watch in the video above of Usman and Burns working on wrestling drills.

UFC 258 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+. 

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/video-ufc258-kamaru-usman-gilbert-burns-last-training-session-together

LAS VEGAS — It’s true that after UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman’s last two title defenses — A highly charged finish of controversial Colby Covington and the circus atmosphere surrounding his one-sided, short-notice win over Jorge Masvidal — his upcoming UFC 258 title fight against Gilbert Burns is as drama-free as it gets.

That’s because the two former training partners maintain a respectful stance towards one another.

But while Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) returns the respect Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) sends his way, he has another way of looking at things: Burns wants what Usman has. And in that way, that makes this fight as personal to Usman as any.

“The paycheck is always nice when you have a circus like the last one and the one before that, but you know, this one, a lot of people are writing us up like friends and teammates fighting each other,” Usman said. At the end of the day I don’t see this anybody, there’s no friends in there.”

“What could be more personal than someone you train with every day saying ‘I see what you have, I want that, I’m going to take that from you?’,” he added. “What could be more personal than that? So each and every one of these I approach the same.”

That said, you can be sure Usman will take Burns seriously when they step into the octagon Saturday night. Burns hasn’t clowned his way to hype like Covington or become a supernova like Masvidal. Burns has earned his spot the old-fashioned way, winning six in a row and eight of his past nine, to get himself into the cage with Usman.

And the champ recognizes the challenger’s game, even if he isn’t about to call him a friend at the moment.

“We hadn’t really trained a lot in the last couple years,” Usman said. “I think it does go away a little bit because he’s going to try hard, and I’m going to go in and get what I always do. … I like the fact he’s got all this confidence going into this. I like it. He’s put the work in the last year and a half. He’s done some good work and I see this and I recognize that. We both know.”

UFC 258 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

To hear more from Usman, watch the video above.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/kamaru-usman-on-facing-former-teammate-gilbert-burns-at-ufc-258-theres-no-friends-in-there

By Mike Bohn |

February 10, 2021 11:05 pm

The UFC is back again on Saturday with UFC 258, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

A welterweight championship fight with a number of underlying storylines takes place in the main event. Reigning titleholder Kamaru Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) faces former teammate Gilbert Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) in a curious clash of two fighters who know each other well.

For more on the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 50 pre-event facts about UFC 258.

Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns

Usman enters the event on a 16-fight winning streak. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since May 2013.

Usman is one of three fighters in UFC history to start 12-0 with the promotion. Anderson Silva and Khabib Nurmagomedov also accomplished the feat.

Usman’s 12-fight UFC winning streak is the longest active streak in the company.

Usman is the only welterweight in history to start his UFC career with 12 consecutive victories.

Usman’s 12-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is the longest active streak in the division.

Usman’s 12-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is tied with Georges St-Pierre for longest in divisional history.

Usman has earned nine of his 12 UFC victories by decision.

Usman outlanded Tyron Woodley by a margin of 336-60 (+275) in total strikes at UFC 235, the record for a UFC championship fight.

Usman landed 192 body strikes at UFC 235, the single-fight UFC record.

Usman has defended 100 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC competition, which includes 17 total.

Usman’s 12 takedowns landed against Rafael dos Anjos at the TUF 28 Finale are tied for second most in a single UFC welterweight fight. Luigi Fioravanti holds the record with 13 at UFC 82.

Usman has been controlled for just two seconds in UFC competition, the least amount of time in company history for anyone with at least 10 appearances.

Burns can become the first Brazilian welterweight champion in UFC history.

Burns is 4-0 since he returned to the welterweight division in August 2019. He’s 5-0 overall when fighting at the weight class.

Burns’ five-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Usman (12) and Leon Edwards (eight).

Maycee Barber vs. Alexa Grasso

Maycee Barber (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Jan. 18, 2020. The 392-day layoff is the longest of her nearly four-year career.

Barber is 2-1 since she moved up to the UFC women’s flyweight division in March 2019.

Barber has earned seven of her eight career victories by stoppage. She’s earned all three of her UFC wins by knockout.

Barber’s two knockout victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Valentina Shevchenko and Shana Dobson for most in divisional history.

Alexa Grasso (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) was successful in her UFC women’s flyweight debut at UFC on ESPN+ 33 in August.

Grasso has alternated wins and losses over her past seven fights. She was victorious in her most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 33.

Grasso has earned all four of her UFC victories by decision.

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Ian Heinisch

Kelvin Gastelum’s (15-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since May 2018.

Gastelum is 3-4 (with one no contest) since he returned to the UFC middleweight division in December 2016.

Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green

Jim Miller’s (32-15 MMA, 21-14 UFC) competes in his 37th UFC bout, the most appearances in company history. His 35th lightweight appearance is also a divisional record.

Miller’s total fight time of 5:36:47 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.

Miller’s 21 victories in UFC competition are third most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (23) and Demian Maia (22).

Miller’s 19 victories in UFC lightweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Miller’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13).

Miller’s 10 submission victories in UFC competition are tied with Royce Gracie for third most in company history behind Charles Oliveira (14) and Maia (11).

Miller’s nine submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are most in divisional history.

Miller’s 45 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.

Miller’s 11 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied with Nate Diaz for third most in divisional history behind Cerrone (15) and Lauzon (15).

Bobby Green (27-11-1 MMA, 8-6-1 UFC) makes his fifth UFC appearance since June.

Maki Pitolo vs. Julian Marquez

Julian Marquez (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since July 6, 2018. The 953-day layoff is the longest of his nearly seven-year career.

Rodolfo Vieira vs. Anthony Hernandez

Rodolfo Vieira

Rodolfo Vieira (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned all seven of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished both of his UFC wins by submission.

Anthony Hernandez (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) is the only fighter in UFC history to earn a victory and suffer a loss by anaconda choke submission.

Belal Muhammad vs. Dhiego Lima

Belal Muhammad

Belal Muhammad (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) is 7-1 in his past eight fights dating back to February 2017. His lone defeat came against Neal at UFC on ESPN+ 1.

Muhammad has earned 12 of his 17 career victories by decision. That includes six of his eight UFC wins.

Dhiego Lima (15-7 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is 3-2 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in July 2017.

Polyana Viana vs. Mallory Martin

Polyana Viana

Polyana Viana (11-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has earned all 11 of her career victories by stoppage. She’s finished both of her UFC wins by first-round submission.

Mallory Martin’s (7-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) stoppage victory despite a -27 significant strike advantage for her opponent at UFC on ESPN+ 33 marked the second biggest comeback in UFC strawweight history behind Alex Chambers (-37) over Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night 65.

Ricky Simon vs. Brian Kelleher

Ricky Simon (17-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 24-day stretch. He earned a victory at UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20.

Simon has landed 33 takedowns in UFC bantamweight competition, the second most in divisional history behind Merab Dvalishvili (41).

Gillian Robertson vs. Miranda Maverick

Gillian Robertson (9-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) becomes the first in UFC history to make 10 women’s flyweight appearances.

Robertson’s six victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Shevchenko and Katlyn Chookagian for most in divisional history.

Robertson’s five stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Robertson’s four submission victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

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Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-258-pre-event-facts-kamaru-usman-winning-streak-record-longest-history

At UFC Fight Night 184, three men scored big wins.

You had Alexander Volkov stopping Alistair Overeem in the heavyweight main event, Cory Sandhagen hitting a “Knockout of the Year” candidate on Frankie Edgar in the bantamweight co-main event, and Beneil Dariush earning a split decision win over Diego Ferreira in a lightweight main-card bout.

All six of those fighters shuffled around in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings. If you’re trying to make sense of this all, fear not: MMA Junkie’s John Morgan and MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George Garcia sort through it all in this week’s edition of the MMA rankings report.

You can check it out in the video above.

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Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-rankings-report-alexander-volkov-cory-sandhagen-beneil-dariush