Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns Clashing At the UFC Fight Night 176

Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns are definitely facing one another at the UFC Fight Night 176 on May 30. The organization officially booked the match today, and it will be the main fight of the above-mentioned event.

The news was revealed on Burns’ Twitter account with the Brazilian posting his and Woodley’s picture adding the comment that the bout is agreed.

Tow fighters were prepared to meet one another much earlier than now, as they both agitated to appear in the ring more than a month ago, when Dana White tried to organize the UFC 249.

OFFICIAL: Former UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (@TWooodley) will take on Gilbert Burns (@GilbertDurinho) on May 30th.

Who takes the victory in this one?#UFC #MMA #FPMMA pic.twitter.com/LudJvRF9e7

— Front Page MMA (@FrontPageMMA) May 19, 2020

At the time, Khabib Nurmagomedov had to back out from participating at the same, because he couldn’t get out of the country. White was searching for his replacement, but also, thought about changing the main fight. Several matchups were in the combination, among others Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman. Woodley stepped in also, calling out both of them, but there wasn’t any reply, Then Burns expressed his desire to fight Woodley, with the former champion accepting the challenge.

The fans were expecting to see this clash sooner, but it appears that White kept it to fill in other events. Luckily for all the members of the MMA community, it will be the highlight of the night on May 30.

White still didn’t reveal the location, as he hopes that the authorities in Nevada might lift the ban on organizing sports events, and place the event in Las Vegas. If this doesn’t end up as he planned, the other option is Arizona, according to some sources.

Also, to mention the main card, besides the Chosen One and Durinho, the fans will have a chance to see Augusto Sakai vs. Blagoy Ivanov in the heavyweight division, and Mackenzie Dern and Hannah Cifers in women’s strawweight. Those two bouts are confirmed for now.

Experts are suggesting that the fight between Woodley and Burns is, in fact, a title eliminator and that whoever wins here would face Kamaru Usman afterward. Even though there are some speculations that Covington might get his rematch, that is highly doubtful.

UFC Fight Night: Saturday, May 30

Tapology poll, 220 people:

%
Tyron Woodley 55 (-155), Gilbert Burns 45 (+135)

Augusto Sakai 55 (+105), Blagoy Ivanov 45 (-125)

Jamahal Hill 81 (-175), Klidson Abreu 19 (+155)

Mackenzie Dern 92 (-320), Hannah Cifers 8 (+260)

— Dabangg Data (@DabanggData) May 17, 2020

Woodley defeated Robie Lawler at the UFC 201 and took the welterweight title, keeping it in his possession until UFC 235 once he lost to Kamaru Usman. That was in March 2019, and since then, he didn’t appear in the octagon. He was supposed to meet Leon Edwards on March 21, but their contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the other side, Burns has five wins in a row, the last one against Damian Maia two months ago. It was a TKO in the first round, and immediately after the fight, the Brazilian started pushing for a big match, the one which would either give him a chance to fight the title or win the belt against Usman. He doesn’t have some big names in his past, and definitely, Woodley is going to be his toughest opponent so far.

The bookies still didn’t reveal the odds, but the majority of pundits in that area are suggesting that the former champ should be a favorite here.