Burns returns from injury, will fight debutant Askhabov this July

Brazilian fighting sensation Herbert Burns will make his return to the octagon when he welcomes featherweight debutant Khusein Askhabov at UFC’s Fight event on July 16.

The 34-year-old Burns, the younger brother of UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns, recently signed a new four-fight deal. He is coming off a gruesome knee injury that required surgery.

Burns suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Daniel Pineda in his last fight after two consecutive UFC first-round stoppages over Evan Dunham and Nate Landwehr.

Burns, who currently holds an 11-3 (win-loss) record, hasn’t competed since August 2020 and is expected to have a tough time when he battles the unbeaten Askhabov.

Askhabov makes his first walk to the eight-sided cage after building a remarkable 23-0 record in the European and Russian arenas.

Nicknamed the “Lion,” Askhabov recorded 12 of his 24 MMA victories inside the opening round, with only seven of his bouts being by way of decision. He was originally set to make his debut in August 2021 but was forced out with Joanderson Brito due to visa problems.

The Burns-Askhabov bout will be one of the undercards of the main event showdown between Yair Rodriguez and Brian Ortega.