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Gilbert Burns Defends Sean Strickland Amidst UFC 312 Criticism: ‘People Have Very Short Memories’

UFC 312 might be over but Sean Strickland’s disappointing performance is still on many fans’ radar. Apparently, after frequently promising a violent war against Dricus Du Plessis, he couldn’t deliver and the fight was a one-sided bashing. Although many have complained about Strickland not walking the talk, top welterweight contender Gilbert Burns feels differently. The […]

The Brazilian is among the few fighters defending Strickland when even the latter’s long-time coach, Eric Nicksick, has shifted grounds.

In a recent episode of Show Me The Money podcast, the former title challenger called out critics who’re questioning Strickland’s legacy based on one loss:

“Another thing, Sean didn’t get the defense. Sean was falling, I don’t know, maybe he wasn’t feeling good, whatever. We’re never going to know, right? But to say, ‘Oh, he talks a lot, he doesn’t back it up,’ I don’t like that. I think the guy backs it up many times. He backed it up against Imavov, he backed it up against my guy Brendan Allen, he backed it up against so many guys, right? Paulo Costa, Adesanya, bro, he beat a lot of the best guys, and people are saying, ‘Oh, he just talks, he doesn’t do much.’ I think that’s very disrespectful.”

Burns claimed that people’s memories have become photographic in the modern world as they’ve clearly forgot Strickland’s impressive wins over Nassourdine Imavov, Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya, and Brendan Allen.

“People have very short memories, it’s the reels day, you know? It’s the TikTok days where you swipe, you see something nice, swipe again, and then it’s gone. But it wasn’t long ago the guy was the champion, fighting everybody. He beat so many good guys, and people are just saying, “Oh, he talks a lot, he’s crazy,” but I like it. And the guy backs it up, or he tries at least.”

Burns last fought Sean Brady in September 2024, and is scheduled to return on UFC 314 on April 12, 2025. The veteran is on a three-fight losing streak and only a solid win can help him remain in the title race.

The Brazilian’s opponent for the Miami card, Michael Morales, certainly poses a big threat. Standing a decade younger, he’s among the very few elite fighters on an undefeated run. Coming out of a TKO win over Neil Magny, Morales will try to add another big name to his resume to rise quickly in the rankings.

As for Strickland, he’s still the no. 2 ranked UFC middleweight contender in the world. From rematches with Imavov, Costa, and Adesanya to fresh fights against Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev, and Caio Borralho, he has plenty of options on the table for his imminent return to the Octagon.

Gilbert Burns Names Three Bellator Fighters Who Can Give UFC Champs A Run For Their Money

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is looking forward to the UFC signing three Bellator fighters to its roster. The Brazilian believes these fighters not only boast considerable star power, but also have the potential to defeat many top contenders and even the champions of their respective divisions. Burns is currently on a three-fight losing skid […]

Burns is currently on a three-fight losing skid and he’ll return at UFC 314 in Miami, Florida, to face undefeated prospect Michael Morales on April 12, 2025. The former UFC title challenger is on the longest losing streak of his career, making this matchup really important for his title aspirations and future in the promotion.

As of now, “Durinho” is ranked 8th in the division and he definitely can’t afford losing to the no. 12 ranked prospect in Morales.

In a recent episode of Show Me The Money, Burns appeared alongside popular UFC lightweight Renato Moicano to discuss UFC 312 and all things MMA. While talking about potential signings for the UFC, Burns named three fighters who are yet to fight for the promotion but have all the tools to make it big there.

“That’s one guy that I really want to see in the UFC is freaking Patchy Mix. That guy is so good, so good, and I hope they release him because they don’t give him a fight. It’s two guys that I think—so many guys from Bellator, but I’ll say my three favorite guys to be in the UFC now from Bellator is Johnny Eblen. That’s the number one. That guy, he could go head-to-head with Dricus Du Plessis.”

He further added:

“That’s one thing, I think he’s a top five for sure. I don’t know if he is gonna beat DDP. I think he can, I think he can, but we got to see, you know? That’s one thing. So, Johnny Eblen should be in the UFC. Patchy Mix, 100%, should be in the UFC. And I think Patricio Pitbull, you know, he can—I don’t know if he’s going to make that run now, but yeah, I wanna see Pitbull in the UFC. Those are my three guys outside of the UFC with the whole Bellator-PFL history. Those three guys I want to see so much in the UFC right now, especially Patchy Mix and Johnny Eblen. Those guys are in their prime and I think it’ll be a couple of great fights.”

While Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is 37 and arguably in the latter half of his career, both Patchy Mix (31) and Johnny Eblen (33) are very well in their physical primes. Mix boasts an impressive 20-1 record as a bantamweight and Eblen is an undefeated middleweight. This explains why Burns, alongside many in the MMA community, is excited to see how these fighters perform in the UFC.

Considering that the PFL brand is struggling amidst its acquisition of Bellator, many of its fighters want to be relieved of their contracts. It is undoubtedly a good time for the UFC to sign these stars and give its champions a run for their money. As for fans, they simply want to see the best fight the best, regardless of promotions.

UFC Welterweight Wants to Avenge Jose Aldo by Taking on Mario Bautista in Bare-Knuckle

Gilbert Burns wants to avenge Jose Aldo’s last loss inside the Octagon. In October, Aldo suffered a frustrating split…

Gilbert Burns wants to avenge Jose Aldo’s last loss inside the Octagon.

In October, Aldo suffered a frustrating split decision defeat against Mario Bautista at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. With it being just his second fight under the UFC banner since 2022, fans were genuinely excited to see the featherweight great back inside the cage and doing what he does best.

Unfortunately, the fight itself left a lot to be desired after Aldo’s opponent spent the majority of the 15-minute affair clinching the Brazilian up against the fence. The strategy was effective in stifling Aldo’s offense, but it had fans quickly calling it one of the worst fights in UFC history.

Many also believed that despite Bautista’s over seven minutes of control time, Aldo should have won the bout after outlanding Bautista in significant strikes and landing at a higher percentage. However, only one judge saw it that way. The other two awarded Bautista for his yawn-inducing strategy via a pair of 29-28 scorecards.

‘Durinho’ wants Bautista, but not inside the octagon

During a recent episode of their Show Me The Money podcast, UFC welterweight standout revealed that if he could fight anyone in a bare-knuckle bout, it would be Bautista, specifically to avenge Aldo’s controversial loss.

“Who would you fight like if you could—if you could choose?” Moicano asked Burns

“Who I want to fight? Bare-knuckle? Mario Bautista. That would be a nice—[laughter]—fight,” Burns said in response.

With Burns competing at welterweight and Bautista working his way up the bantamweight division, don’t expect to see the two ever actually settle things, whether it be inside the Octagon or the squared circle.

Gilbert Burns Questions Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coaching Skills After Umar’s UFC 311 Loss

Gilbert Burns has voiced sharp criticism of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching performance during Umar Nurmagomedov’s first professional loss at UFC…

Gilbert Burns has voiced sharp criticism of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching performance during Umar Nurmagomedov’s first professional loss at UFC 311. Umar was cornered by Khabib and faced Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight throne and earned a decision loss.

Gilbert Burns on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching

Speaking on his podcast, the Brazilian welterweight noted that Khabib, while a legendary fighter, still lacks experience as a head coach in high-pressure situations. “I have so much respect for the Dagestani guys and Khabib, but I just gotta say this—Khabib Nurmagomedov as a main coach, people gonna hate on this, still got to improve a lot,” Burns said.

Brazil’s Burns referred to a pivotal moment in the fight when Umar, facing bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, appeared visibly fatigued. Gilbert Burns claimed Khabib Nurmagomedov and his corner failed to provide the necessary calm and direction.

“When Umar started getting tired, he came to the corner with those ‘question eyes,’ like he didn’t know what to do,” the welterweight explained. “And when I looked at Khabib and his corner, they had the same eyes—like, ‘Oh my God.’”

The fight, held on January 18, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, saw Umar suffer his first career loss via unanimous decision. Despite a strong start, a broken hand early in the fight derailed his performance, and Dvalishvili capitalized on the opening.

Burns highlighted the difference between Khabib’s cornering and the work of veteran coaches like Henri Hooft and Cesar “Parrumpa” Carneiro, who have extensive experience guiding fighters through adversity.

“Guys like Parrumpa and Henry, they calm you down and tell you exactly what to do—‘You lost that round, now do this and this.’ They’ve been in so many corners, you can’t even count,” The Brazilian explained.

The Dagestani Khabib coached multiple fighters at UFC 311, including Islam Makhachev and Tagir Ulanbekov, acknowledged the difficulties of the night. He expressed his determination to help Umar recover from the setback, vowing to learn from the experience.

Gilbert Burns’ comments, while critical, come with respect for Khabib’s legacy. “I have a lot of respect for him, but coaching takes time and repetition,” he added.

The loss marks a turning point for Umar Nurmagomedov, who had remained undefeated in 18 professional bouts prior to the fight. With Khabib in his corner, his journey toward redemption will be closely watched.

Gilbert Burns Set For UFC 314 Return In Miami, Faces Undefeated Prospect

A big fight in the welterweight division is the first major matchup to have been reported for the UFC’s return to Miami on April 12. Ag. Fight revealed that the former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns will be back in Miami for the second consecutive year to take on the undefeated Michael Morales. Burns […]

Burns is currently coming off the biggest winless streak of his career after losing his last three bouts inside the Octagon. In May of 2023, he suffered an injury in his defeat to Belal Muhammad, returning the following year in Miami where he was finished by Jack Della Maddalena. His difficult run of form continued last September where he lost a unanimous decision to Sean Brady over five rounds at the UFC Apex.

In order to return to the win column, the #8-ranked contender will need to be the first man to defeat Ecuador’s Morales in 17 fights. The 25-year old arrived in the UFC back in 2022 after earning his contract via Dana White’s Contender Series and he has made quiet the impression ever since.

He has since beaten the likes of Neil Magny, Jake Matthews and Max Griffin to put together a five-fight winning streak inside the Octagon which has earned him the #12-spot in the top 15. With 12 wins via knockout, Morales is a dangerous contender who will be hoping to earn the biggest win of his career to date in Miami.

For “Durinho”, beating a highly regarded rising star like Morales could be the confidence boost that he needs to re-establish himself as a serious player at the top of the welterweight division.

pic.twitter.com/vlHJPxqAme

— Ag. Fight (@AgFight) January 10, 2025

Though the fight was not a done deal at the time, Burns recently spoke about the potential matchup during an episode of the Show Me The Money Podcast. He gave Morales plenty of praise before saying that despite it being a tough fight for both of them, like his friend Renato Moicano, he “cannot afford to lose”.

“Disgusting” Colby Covington Vows American Justice: I’ll Smash Gilbert Burns for Leaking Uncle Chael’s Number

Colby Covington is coming to the defense of fellow three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen. ‘The American Gangster’ was…

Colby Covington is coming to the defense of fellow three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen.

‘The American Gangster’ was in Covington’s corner at the UFC’s final event of 2024 in Tampa. Now ‘Chaos’ is ready to return the favor by putting a beating on welterweight standout Gilbert Burns who leaked Sonnen’s number on social media.

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen claimed that Burns was retired from the sport. ‘Durinho’ didn’t appreciate the comment and made Sonnen pay by posting his personal phone number on X. As a result, Sonnen received a slew of calls from excited fight fans hoping to have a word with the man from West Linn, Oregon.

While Sonnen took the whole thing in stride, Covington found it to be downright “despicable” and issued a challenge to Burns.

“That’s disgusting, man, that’s despicable, that’s not right man, that’s really messed up,” Covington said. “Now he’s getting tons of people calling him with stupid sh*t and calling him with stupid pranks, it’s a security concern… What are we, in high school? That’s really messed up that Gilbert did that to Uncle Chael.

“I said, ‘Hey Uncle Chael if you want me to handle that inside the Octagon, I will get justice for us, I will get justice on Gilbert’s f*cking face, I will make sure he never shows his face in America ever again, that’s how badly I’d beat him” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

‘Durinho’ Responds to Colby Covington’s Call Out

Burns has since responded to Covington’s call out, agreement to meet him inside the Octagon this spring — assuming ‘Chaos’ actually signs the contract.

“Miami April! Just [sign] the contract! I know you not showing up!” Burns wrote in response.

With Burns sitting as the No. 8 ranked contender in the division and Covington dropping to ninth following his lopsided loss to Joaquin Buckley, a fight between the two makes a lot of sense from a rankings perspective.

Both fighters would also enter the bout in desperate need of a win, adding another interesting wrinkle to their potential showdown.