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Gilbert Burns knows his ascension to earning a title shot was a prime example of preparation meeting opportunity. The resilient Brazilian plans to make the most of it when he faces champion Kamaru Usman on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 258 in Las Vegas. The title fight tops the docket from the Apex facility, with the main UFC 258 fight card scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. The well-rounded Burns went from unranked prospect to top contender by winning four fights in a 16-month span while most other welterweight contenders were idle because of injuries or pandemic-related challenges.

Usman is a -270 favorite (risk $270 to win $100), while Burns is priced at +230 in the latest Usman vs. Burns odds at William Hill Sportsbook. In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso is the -140 favorite in the latest UFC 258 odds as she takes on Maycee Barber (+120) in a meeting of women's flyweight contenders. Before locking in any UFC 258 picks, make sure you see what SportsLine MMA expert Brandon Wise has to say. 

Wise has been profitable for six consecutive years with his MMA picks, and last year he started sharing his UFC main card picks with SportsLine members. Those who have followed his UFC bets have seen massive returns.

Since the UFC returned following a period of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wise has gone 65-39-2 while nailing the method of victory 47 times! At UFC 256, Wise went 4-0-1 and correctly called the method of victory in three of those winners. Those selections included a decision victory for Charles Oliveira (+145) against Tony Ferguson (-165) in the lightweight co-main event. At UFC 257, he correctly called a stoppage victory for Makhmud Muradov (-145) against Andrew Sanchez (+125) in a matchup of middleweight prospects on the main card. Anyone who has followed him is up big.

Now, with UFC 258 fast approaching, Wise has carefully studied every main-card matchup and released his MMA predictions. Those UFC 258 picks are available at SportsLine.

Usman vs. Burns expert preview

Wise knows the main event features an intriguing matchup between fighters who share several traits, most notably the incessant desire to silence skeptics. They are also ground-game savants who strive to show MMA fans that they don't necessarily need to see a knockout in order to be entertained.

Usman (17-1) has found himself in the uncomfortable role as one of the UFC's most polarizing champions. He is naturally quiet and self-aware, but also knows that trash-talking and social-media feuds sell tickets. Thus, he sometimes plays along with the latter, while appearing perpetually torn between the desire to embrace the role of anti-hero or uphold his good-guy reputation.

Regardless, his dominance inside the Octagon has made even his harshest critics concede a measure of respect. Usman has torn through two ultra-popular opponents in Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, on his way to potentially crafting one of the most distinguished resumes in the history of the welterweight division. A victory over Burns would further that cause.

Burns is similarly reluctant to engage in self-promotion and is more likely to shower his opponent with compliments than insults. But the beefy Brazilian grappling specialist has made plenty of statements in the cage, emerging from fringe contender to a top contender in a one-year span.

The second-ranked Burns showed his powerful hands with a devastating one-punch knockout of icon Demian Maia in March of last year before peppering Woodley with a barrage of punches and takedowns in a one-sided decision in their main event clash in May. You can only see who Wise is backing here.

Top UFC 258 predictions

We'll share one of Wise's UFC 258 picks here: He is backing Ian Heinisch (+185) to pull the upset of Kelvin Gastelum (-215) in a meeting of middleweight contenders.

Gastelum (15-6-1) is widely-respected as one the promotion's veteran warriors, even though he is still several months shy of turning 30. He caught the attention of MMA observers on "The Ultimate Fighter" six years ago and immediately became a popular fighter known for a well-rounded skill set and preference for fan-friendly brawls.

Gastelum climbed the ranks with wins over former champions like Johny Hendricks and Michael Bisping, but he has fallen on hard times lately. His five-round war in 2019 with Israel Adesanya became an instant classic, but the decision went the way of the current champion and sent the California native spiraling into a three-fight losing streak.

He can regain his contender status with a win over Heinisch (14-3), a rising contender who also seeks a momentum-building win following losses in two of his last three. However, the 32-year-old Denver native is coming off a knockout win against veteran Gerald Meerschaert last June.

"Gastelum's war with Israel Adesanya feels like it changed him for the worse and, until proven otherwise, I am going to ride with his opponents," Wise told SportsLine. 

How to make UFC 258 picks

Wise also has strong picks for Usman vs. Burns and every other bout on the main UFC 258 card. He's also backing an underdog who "will throw nothing but bombs" and come away with an epic TKO. Those selections are only available here. 

Who wins Usman vs. Burns? And how exactly does each main-card fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every main-card fight at UFC 258, all from the accomplished expert who has been profitable for six straight years, and find out.

UFC 258 odds, main fight card

Kamaru Usman (-270) vs. Gilbert Burns (+230)
Alexa Grasso (-140) vs Maycee Barber (+120)
Kelvin Gastelum (-215) vs. Ian Heinisch (+185)
Julian Marquez (-165) vs. Maki Pitolo (+145)
Bobby Green (-270) vs. Jim Miller (+230)