UFC 264 live blog: Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson

This is the UFC 264 live blog for Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson, the welterweight co-main event for Saturday’s fight card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Between them, Burns and Thompson have challenged for the UFC welterweight title on three occasions and seek to stay in the title picture. Burns, the No. 3 ranked fighter in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, is just five months removed from a bid for undisputed champ Kamaru Usman’s belt. After a strong opened round in which he rocked the champ, Burns was outstruck and finished in the third round, snapping a six-fight winning streak that included wins over multi-time title challenger Demian Maia and ex-champ Tyron Woodley.

Thompson, the No. 5 fighter, believes he has the best argument for a title shot, though his current winning streak runs just two fights. Most recently, Thompson beat back rising contender Geoff Neal, ending a long injury layoff with a signature performance that further upped his stock after a pair of losses against Darren Till and Anthony Pettis. Thompson twice fought Woodley, drawing the now-former champ before losing a decision in his two cracks at the belt.

Check out the UFC 264 live blog.