The Single Result That Upsets Gilbert Burns More Than His Recent Defeats

Omar Yusuf

4 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

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The Usman Fight: A Closer Look at the Controversial Split Decision

The July 2021 fight between Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title is etched in the memory of MMA fans as a highly contested and controversial bout. A closer look at the Usman vs Burns fight reveals a battle filled with debatable calls and scoring discrepancies that ultimately led to a split decision victory for Usman.

Round-by-Round Breakdown:

Analyzing the fight round by round reveals significant differences in scoring interpretations. While Usman's takedowns and control were undeniable, Burns consistently landed significant strikes, often putting Usman on the defensive.

• Round 1: Burns arguably landed the more impactful strikes, but Usman secured takedowns and achieved some ground control. The round's scoring was close, reflecting the competitiveness of the exchanges.
• Round 2: Similar to Round 1, Burns' striking was more effective, but Usman secured another takedown, creating a situation where fight metrics (significant strikes vs. control time) created contrasting interpretations.
• Round 3: Usman displayed better takedown defense in this round; Burns landed significant strikes but failed to secure a takedown of his own, again leaving the round open to interpretation.
• Round 5: The final round saw a high volume of strikes from both fighters, making it one of the most difficult to score objectively. Burns’ aggression seemed to outpace Usman's, but Usman did control portions of the round.

The judges' scorecards ultimately awarded the fight to Usman (48-47, 48-47, 47-48), highlighting the stark disagreement over the judging criteria and the close nature of the “Usman vs Burns” fight. Many MMA analysts and commentators criticized the scoring, believing Burns had done enough to win at least one more round. This "controversial decision" continues to fuel the debate surrounding the fight.

Psychological Impact: More Than Just a Loss

The impact of the Usman fight extended far beyond a simple loss in the record books. The incredibly close nature of the controversial split decision weighed heavily on Gilbert Burns.

The Weight of "What If?":

The fight's result has created a lingering "what if?" scenario that's significantly affected Burns's psyche. Had he won that fight, his career trajectory could have been drastically different. He would have been the UFC welterweight champion, significantly altering his standing and opportunities.

• Post-Fight Reactions: Burns' post-fight interviews reflected his disappointment and frustration, suggesting a feeling of injustice. He openly expressed his belief that he had won the fight.
• Confidence and Strategy: The close loss likely impacted his confidence, forcing him to potentially adjust his fight strategy and approach in subsequent bouts. The psychological impact of such a close loss is often more significant than a clear-cut defeat.
• Impact on Fighter Mentality: Close losses, especially those with contentious judging, can be devastating for a fighter's mental fortitude. The question of whether he was truly defeated haunts him more than a clear, decisive knockout loss.

The Subsequent Defeats: A Comparative Analysis

Following the loss to Usman, Burns faced Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal. While both were defeats, the nature of the losses and Burns' reactions differed significantly from his feelings about the Usman fight.

Chimaev and Masvidal: Different Battles, Similar Outcomes:

The fights against Chimaev and Masvidal were starkly different in style and outcome. Chimaev dominated via grappling, while Masvidal secured a win through a clear and decisive victory.

• Performance Analysis: Burns' performance against Chimaev demonstrated the significant challenge Chimaev represents in the welterweight division. Against Masvidal, Burns put up a good fight, but ultimately, Masvidal's experience and skills prevailed. The fight statistics and stylistic matchups were vastly different from the Usman fight.
• Post-Fight Comments: In his post-fight interviews concerning these bouts, Burns showed disappointment but lacked the same intense frustration and sense of injustice expressed after the Usman fight. This demonstrates a clear difference between the impact of a close loss and a decisive one. The “Gilbert Burns fights” since Usman haven't generated the same level of controversy.

Conclusion

The controversial split decision loss to Kamaru Usman remains a pivotal point in Gilbert Burns' career. It wasn't simply a defeat; it was a close, highly contested fight, leaving Burns with a lingering sense of injustice and missed opportunity that overshadows his subsequent losses to Chimaev and Masvidal. The psychological impact of this controversial fight is evident in his post-fight reactions and likely influenced his subsequent strategies. The “Usman vs Burns” fight remains a debate within the UFC community, and the lingering impact on Gilbert Burns' future in the UFC is undeniable.

What are your thoughts on the controversial Gilbert Burns vs. Kamaru Usman fight? Share your analysis in the comments below!