Usman makes history after retaining UFC title with brutal TKO against Burns

Usman stopped Burns in the third round of the main event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where the champion landed a flurry of big strikes on the ground before referee Herb Dean waved off the fight.

The 33-year-old (18-1), who was briefly stunned by Burns in the opening round, took control of Saturday's bout and never looked back in a relentless performance.

Usman – champion since defeating Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in 2019 – left Burns (19-4) staggering the second round before dropping his opponent again early in the third with a jab.

Win or lose, the chase for the belt means everything #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/oO8wWVl0Lh

— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021

With victory on the horizon, Usman unleashed several powerful punches to force a stoppage at the 34-second mark of the round as he earned the longest winning streak in welterweight history with his 13th consecutive triumph – surpassing Georges St-Pierre.

"I am the best on the planet for a reason," Usman – who has never lost in the UFC – said in his post-fight interview.

"Y'all, everybody else, you better put some f****** respect on my name. ... I'm here to stay."

Longest win streak in welterweight history #AndStill pic.twitter.com/1wvZ1errzd

— UFC (@ufc) February 14, 2021

"I'm the varsity guy," Usman said. "My fight IQ is different. It's different when you're in the gym with me. But when you get in here, it's a different ballgame. I'm a whole 'nother savage."

Usman hailed former team-mate Burns, adding: "Gilbert is a guy that I've known from the start. I love him. This one was tough for me to deal with.

"Guys, you cannot discredit what Gilbert Burns has done in this division. We started together. We started this journey together, and he showed it tonight. He went in there and put it all together."