UFC 258 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview – Usman vs Burns

• Kamaru Usman defends his welterweight title against his teammate, Gilbert Burns
• Maycee Barber returns after her first career loss in the co-main event
• See the odds, picks, and betting preview for the full UFC 258 main card, below

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set for its second pay-per-view of the year on February 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the main event of UFC 258, Kamaru Usman looks for the third defense of his welterweight title as he battles his teammate and close friend Gilbert Burns. The co-main event sees rising star Maycee Barber return to the Octagon against Alexa Grasso at flyweight.

UFC 258 airs live on pay-per-view on February 13, 2021, at 10 PM EST in Las Vegas. The table below shows odds for the main card at FanDuel and DraftKings, followed by best bets for the event.

UFC 258 Odds

All odds as of Feb. 8

Who Wins the Battle of the Teammates?

The biggest storyline entering this fight is Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns are teammates and have sparred up to 200 rounds against one another. They are also close friends, with both of them cornering the other and their families even hanging out.

Usman & Burns Recent Fights

In the lead-up to the fight, Usman left Sanford MMA to go and train in Colorado under Trevor Wittman who coaches Justin Gaethje and Rose Namajunas among others. In elevation, his cardio will likely only improve, but Burns has been known for his relentless pace and pressure.

This is a fascinating fight because both men know the other one so well. They have made it known the other one knows what they struggle with, but on the flip side, they know what their opponent struggles with. However, I don’t expect that to play much of a factor as I believe Kamaru Usman is just too good.

Usman vs Burns Stats

In the fight, I expect it to stay standing for the most part. Gilbert Burns is a BJJ black belt, but Usman is a terrific wrestler. I expect him to be strong enough where he can hold the Brazilian along the fence similar to what he did to Masvidal and win the rounds.

On the feet, I like Usman having the six-and-a-half inch reach advantage to piece up Burns and use his relentless cardio to keep walking down Burns and eventually win a decision.

Pick: Kamaru Usman (-278)

Does Maycee Barber Return to the Win Column?

Maycee Barber was someone many thought was a future title challenger, but a torn ACL and a decision loss to Roxanne Modafferi derailed some of that hype.

Barber & Grasso Recent Fights

I don’t understand these odds at all. Maycee Barber is not well-liked due to her being so confident that she will become the youngest UFC champion, and many disliked her on how she handled her first career loss. Although Barber did lose to Modafferi, she did tear her ACL in the fight and could barely stand on her leg.

Throughout time we have seen Alexa Grasso struggle with wrestlers and I don’t see anything different happening here. I think Grasso is the more technical striker. That being said, Barber hits harder and will shoot for takedowns early and often and eventually finish Grasso on the ground by TKO.

Pick: Maycee Barber (+124)

Other UFC 258 Picks:

1. Ian Heinisch (+176): I have been picking against Kelvin Gastelum in his last three fights where he has been the favorite twice. I’m not high on him at 185 pounds, and I like Heinisch to mix in his wrestling and striking to win a decision.
2. Jimmie Rivera (-144): Rivera and Munhoz already fought, and Rivera won a decision. This time around, I expect the same result with Rivera outstriking Munhoz.
3. Julian Marquez (-177): Marquez has all the potential to be a top-15 middleweight. He’s a better striker than Pitolo and will catch him with something big and knock him out.