JORGE MASVIDAL appears ready to step in to replace Gilbert Burns and fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251.
Brazilian Burns tested positive for coronavirus in Las Vegas, where the UFC is testing some of its stars before sending them to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
The 33-year-old welterweight’s two cornermen Herbert Burns and Greg Jones also tested positive with Usman also stopped from boarding his flight.
After receiving the news ruling him out of next Saturday’s event, Burns shared a message with his Twitter followers.
He wrote: “Devastating news, not feeling well but I’m going to win this battle! Stay safe out there! Much love.”
His manager Abraham Kawa then told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani his client was “absolutely willing” to take the fight.
Burns was surprisingly handed a shot at champ Usman after UFC failed to come to terms with Masvidal and English star Leon Edwards.
Gamebred has publicly slammed UFC president Dana White since over what they pay fighters as he revealed they wanted him to take a cut to fight Usman in the Middle East.
However, he has now dropped a huge hint he is ready to step into the cage at short notice as he tweeted a picture outlining the meaning of his nickname.
It said: “Gamebred is an animal that has been bred to be game.”
Ex-title contender Colby Covington has already offered to step in as replacement as he campaigns for a rematch against Usman.
Despite the main event now being in chaos, UFC 251 still has two other championship clashes.
Alexander Volkanovski’s rematch with former featherweight king Max Holloway is now expected to top the card.
And Jose Aldo and Petr Yan will battle for the vacant bantamweight belt.
