Preview: UFC 252 ‘Miocic vs. Cormier 3’ Main Card

Featherweights

Herbert Burns (11-2) vs. Daniel Pineda (26-13)

ODDS: Burns (-275), Pineda (+235)

This should be fun for however long it lasts. Burns is not his brother as a prospect, but he has still had an excellent 2020 campaign thus far. In his first two UFC fights, “The Blaze” finished Nate Landwehr and Evan Dunham in a shade over four minutes combined. Despite knocking out Landwehr, Burns’ striking is still a bit of a liability, but he has been able to paper that over with his aggressive pursuit of takedowns and submissions—something he looks to continue against Pineda. This marks Pineda’s return to the UFC after six and a half years, and the Texan spent 2019 showing that he remains as dangerous as ever. He made it to the Professional Fighters League featherweight final with quick finishes of Movlid Khaybulaev and Jeremy Kennedy. Unfortunately, Pineda did not get his chance to fight for a million dollars after failing his post-fight drug test, but the UFC was happy to pick him up as another fun addition to a deep division. Pineda could be the guy to finally make Burns pay for his aggression and limited game, but the likelier scenario is that this is another fight where the Brazilian can get a takedown and then go to work. The pick is Burns via first-round submission.

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