Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Gilbert Burns is satisfied with how much he will make to fight Kamaru Usman for the title on July 11.
Gilbert Burns will not complain about his purse to take on the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 251. Despite what fellow contender Jorge Masvidal claims – that ‘Durinho’ took the lowest pay possible in order to secure the title shot – the Brazilian fighter has a different point of view on the matter.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Burns says Masvidal should negotiate better and not sign a contract if he is unhappy with the numbers. However, for himself, Durinho believes he made quite a nice deal with the company – better than what most title challengers make, in fact.
“They offered me a great amount of money,” Burns said about his deal. “More money than a lot of guys get fighting for the title. I’m happy for my situation. But I’m putting myself in that position to get those fights.”
“I understand Masvidal’s side, he wants more money. But I think it all comes down to management. If you just signed a deal, how come you going to ask for a new deal? It just doesn’t make sense. I think it’s all in the negotiations.”
Although Durinho understands Masvidal’s side on the whole issue, Burns can’t help but think Jorge is not dealing with the problem correctly. In Gilbert’s opinion, standing around and complaining instead of fighting will not get ‘Gamebred’ a better deal with the company. For the Brazilian, there are better ways to warrant better payment from the bosses.
“I don’t think that helped,” Burns said about Masvidal’s pay complaints. “I don’t think that’s helping Masvidal’s side. I think my case is a strong case. He was fighter of the year in 2019. I’m already two fights [in this year], two great performances, I believe I earned the title shot, but I understand those guys want more money and everything. I think there’s a better way to get those deals done than just complain.
“Like we saw a couple guys, Khabib [Nurmagomedov] never complained about money. D.C. [Daniel Cormier] never complained about money. [Georges St-Pierre], a lot of guys, I know these guys make a great amount of money, and they don’t need to go against the UFC, throw everything in the media. I just think there’s a better way than going on social media [and saying], ‘Oh let me go, give me more money or let me go.’ I think you’ve got a better way to do business than this way.”
In his last fight, Burns (19-3) bested former champion Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision, back in May. The win put Durinho on a six-fight win streak, which includes names such as Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson, and Olivier Aubin-Mercier, among others. The 33-year-old’s last loss happened in July 2018, when he was knocked out by Dan Hooker.
Now, Durinho is expected to take on Usman at UFC 251’s main event, on July 11, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The card will also feature two more title fights: on the co-main event, a rematch for the featherweight title between the champion, Alexander Volkanovksi, and former title holder Max Holloway. Just before that, a bout for the vacant bantamweight belt, between former 145-pound king Jose Aldo and rising contender Petr Yan.