Gilbert Burns Posts Statement, Following Positive Test For COVID-19

The MMA world is reeling from the news that Gilbert Burns is out of UFC 251, and a fight with welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman, after testing positive for COVID-19.

Burns was scheduled to face Usman at UFC 251, July 11th, which will take place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. But, recently it was reported that Burns, as well as his brother Herbert Burns and coach Greg Jones, have tested positive for the virus.

As a result, Burns will no longer fight Usman at the upcoming event. Since then, the surging welterweight shared out the statement below.

devastating news, not feeling well but I’m going to win this battle! Stay safe out there! Much love

? devastating news, not feeling well but I’m going to win this battle! Stay safe out there! Much love ??

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 4, 2020

It’s not clear yet whether Usman will face a replacement at the upcoming event. Burns (19-3) had worked his way into a title fight by winning six straight bouts, which included notable wins over Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia and Gunnar Nelson.

This positive COVID-19 tests are just the latest for Sanford MMA, which is located in Florida, where cases of the virus have been skyrocketing. Recently ONE Championship’s Aung La N Sang, who is a teammate of Burns, confirmed he’s tested positive for COVID-19.

View this post on Instagram

Dear family and friends, I got tested for covid-19 on Monday and the result came back today and I am positive. So my family and I will be quarantining ourselves for the next 14 days. I had a slight fever, congestion, body ache and fatigue on the first two days. Besides that I am blessed that my whole family is doing well. We are really in this together and we will get over this.

A post shared by Aung La Nsang (@aunglansang) on Jul 2, 2020 at 2:21pm PDT

So, clearly all this is unsettling news, and hopefully everyone from the gym has a speedy recovery.