Gilbert Burns is a bad man.
When it comes to sparring and training within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community, the rule is “whatever happens in the gym, stays in the gym,” however, some training sessions are too legendary not to let slip.
In a recent interview with the JAXXON Podcast, which features UFC legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as the co-host, Burns revealed he got the best of former UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in sparring.
“I trained with him before; he didn’t like it,” Burns said. “I still get away with it because it was a long time ago. We were still at the Blackzillians, so it was five years ago, maybe, and we grappled hard, and I got his arm, but he didn’t tap; he popped his arm. I was so afraid, I said, ‘Oh my God, this guy is going to kill me now,’ but he was cool about it. So, yeah, we trained before, but I don’t want to fight him, no way.”
It may seem pretty odd for a former Lightweight, now Welterweight, to out-grapple a massive Heavyweight, but Burns is a multi-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so with that context, it’ll help.
Jiu-Jitsu superstar Nicky Rod believes Burns is also the best grappler in MMA.
Burns had an excellent 2023 in the UFC, going 2-1, only losing a No. 1 contender fight to Belal Muhammad at UFC 288 on very short notice. He started his year by tapping Neil Magny in Brazil and then retired Jorge Masivdal in Miami.
Ngannou is currently waiting for his next assignment after shocking the combat sports world by giving Tyson Fury all he could handle.