Rookie Report: Recapping the UFC’s five A-grade debutants in Q1 2020

MMA Junkie’s Simon Head takes a look back at the best rookie performers in the UFC so far in 2020.

Herbert Burns

The UFC on ESPN+ 24 card in Raleigh, N.C. featured a quartet of octagon debutants, but it was [autotag]Herbert Burns[/autotag] whose performance stood out from the pack, as he handed fellow newcomer Nate Landwehr his first loss in five years and proved that he has dangerous striking to back up his top-drawer grappling skills.

Previously, Burns (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had won all nine of his fights via submission, but he switched things up on his octagon debut, claiming a highlight-reel knockout to kick off his UFC career with a bang.

Burns looked nerveless throughout, as he went after Landwehr and looked close to getting the finish via submission. But after his opponent did well to survive a D’Arce choke, Burns countered Landwehr’s wild striking response with a perfectly-placed knee that finished the fight in spectacular fashion.

Next up: 27 seconds of Khaos.

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