Tag: Gilbert Burns

Burns: Oliveira Is On A Different Level Than Everyone, Including Khabib

Gilbert Burns thinks UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira is doing something that we haven’t seen before in the UFC Octagon. Oliveira earned another win over Justin Gaethje in the UFC 274 headliner. Despite missing championship weight and being stripped of his title, he appeared undistracted and put on another impressive performance against another top lightweight contender….

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Gilbert Burns thinks UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira is doing something that we haven’t seen before in the UFC Octagon.

Oliveira earned another win over Justin Gaethje in the UFC 274 headliner. Despite missing championship weight and being stripped of his title, he appeared undistracted and put on another impressive performance against another top lightweight contender.

While Oliveira isn’t the lightweight titleholder as of now, most fans and media recognize him as the lightweight champion. He earned the then-vacant title over Michael Chandler before defending it against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.

Oliveira’s 11-fight winning streak has created comparisons between himself and former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. After defeating Gaethje at UFC 254, the undefeated champion Nurmagomedov opted to walk away from the sport in the middle of his prime.

Conor McGregor reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov retiring and makes announcement on own career | The Independent

Oliveira isn’t planning on leaving MMA anytime soon, but speculation about what would happen in a hypothetical matchup between himself and Nurmagomedov has run rampant.

During a recent interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Burns explained how while he’s biased being Brazilian, he feels Oliveira presents a ton of issues for all lightweights including the retired Nurmagomedov.

“It’s different, you know?” Burns said of the Oliveira/Nurmagomedov comparisons. “Khabib was the guy that did the hardest thing: undefeated and left All the respect, but he left. Like I said, Oliveira’s been there since he was super young — put himself in the fire, fighting everybody, like I think he’s 11-0 coming on this streak that he’s coming right now, all finishes. How crazy is that? And finishing guys — Justin Gaethje in the first round, Dustin Poirier second round. If you don’t knock (him) out, he submits you.

“So I’m a fan of both, but right now, Oliveira is unbeatable. I don’t know. If they make that fight, for sure Khabib is different, but I don’t know, bro. Oliveira is on a different level right now.”

Oliveira could be on the verge of fighting Nurmagomedov’s protégé, Islam Makhachev, for the now-vacant lightweight title. Makhachev has called out Oliveira for a fight for years, as he recently revealed on social media.

Nurmagomedov has reiterated his desire to stay retired and focus on coaching other Dagestani MMA prospects like Makhachev, as well as leading the charge behind his Eagle FC promotion. While a matchup between Nurmagomedov and Oliveira seems highly unlikely, the conversation regarding the UFC lightweight GOAT could begin to ramp up in the coming years.

Do you agree with Gilbert Burns’ thoughts on Charles Oliveira?

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Gilbert Burns On Tony Kelley’s Brazil Comments: “Man Up & Apologize”

Gilbert Burns isn’t happy with how UFC bantamweight Tony Kelley has handled the aftermath of his controversial remarks about Brazil. While he cornered his teammate Andrea Lee at UFC Vegas 54 earlier this month, Kelley could be heard on the broadcast berating Lee’s opponent Viviane Araujo. He referred to Araujo as a ‘dirty fuckin’ Brazilian’…

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Gilbert Burns isn’t happy with how UFC bantamweight Tony Kelley has handled the aftermath of his controversial remarks about Brazil.

While he cornered his teammate Andrea Lee at UFC Vegas 54 earlier this month, Kelley could be heard on the broadcast berating Lee’s opponent Viviane Araujo. He referred to Araujo as a ‘dirty fuckin’ Brazilian’ after an eye poke during the fight.

Kelley’s comments quickly drew the attention and criticism of many on social media, including Belal Muhammad. After his comments went viral, Kelley refused to apologize and invoked ‘cancel culture’ as the reason for people being offended by his remarks.

During a recent interview with The Underground, Burns said it’s important for Kelley to own up to his comments and move forward.

“It’s really hard to judge, you know. I hate to judge the guys at all. I don’t want to judge. But I think if you do make a mistake like that, don’t just come up out with these,” Burns said of Kelley. “Just come up and apologize. Be a man, man up. Like, you know what, I messed up, I said, I didn’t mean it. But I just think every time that you act and every time you do something wrong, bro we are humans, we gonna mess up… Be a man and apologize, that’s it.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

Kelley is far from the first UFC fighter to make controversial comments about Brazil. Two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington infamously called Brazil a “dump” and referred to Brazilians as “filthy animals” in his post-fight speech after a win over Demian Maia.

Former UFC middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen also berated Brazil during the leadup to his fights with Anderson Silva.

The UFC has yet to publicly comment on Kelley’s remarks and UFC President Dana White hasn’t spoken about the controversy. Kelley will fight Adrian Yanez at UFC Austin next month.

Do you agree with Gilbert Burns’ thoughts on Tony Kelley?

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Gilbert Burns Says Charles Oliveira Can Beat Islam Makhachev With His Superior Striking Skills

Gilbert BurnsUFC Welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns, believes that Charles Oliveira would beat Islam Makhachev due to his striking being better all around than Makhachev’s at this point. Oliveira has gone head to head with some of the best strikers in the lightweight division. The lightweight division has some of the most elite strikers in the […]

Gilbert Burns

UFC Welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns, believes that Charles Oliveira would beat Islam Makhachev due to his striking being better all around than Makhachev’s at this point.

Oliveira has gone head to head with some of the best strikers in the lightweight division. The lightweight division has some of the most elite strikers in the UFC and is one of the most dangerous divisions in the entire sport. Oliveira has had times in all his fights when he out struck Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Justin Gaethje in his recent title run and defenses.

Justin Gaethje is known for his striking ability, and Oliveira rocked him in the first 10 seconds of the fight and even knocked him down. Makhachev’s striking is no where close to any of the previous three fighters mentioned, but his ground game and wrestling is one on the best we have ever seen in UFC history.

Gilbert Burns believes that Charles Oliveira may have a hand up in a title fight against Islam Makhachev

“If I was the matchmaker, I would make Islam vs Oliveira for sure,” Burns said in an interview with Helen Yee. “That’s a fight that is very intriguing. I still believe Oliveira can get the win, because his striking. The pressure that he does and the jiu-jitsu. People say all the sambo and hey I got it, but Oliveira is huge for that division…. I think he’s on a different level.”

Burns is ready to see the fight between Oliveira, much like mostly everyone involved in the sport. The only thing that may be holding the UFC back from making the fight at the moment, is the fact that Makhachev has yet to beat a top five ranked fighter in the division. He has also only beaten one top 10 fighter, Dan Hooker on short notice.

Burns himself is coming off an amazing bout against Khamzat Chimaev, that could have easily went either way. Burns is one of the best strikers in his division and he pairs that with phenomenal jiu-jitsu, much like Oliveira does.

Kamaru Usman’s Thrilling Reign Could Come to an End by Leon Edwards, Says Gilbert Burns

Kamaru UsmanUFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has looked absolutely unstoppable since joining the UFC in 2015. Usman (20-1-0) defeated Tyron Woodley for the welterweight crown at UFC 235. Since then, he has defended his championship five times including multiple defenses against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. The odd man out on that list is Gilbert Burns, […]

Kamaru Usman

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has looked absolutely unstoppable since joining the UFC in 2015.

Usman (20-1-0) defeated Tyron Woodley for the welterweight crown at UFC 235. Since then, he has defended his championship five times including multiple defenses against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. The odd man out on that list is Gilbert Burns, who lost in his title bid at UFC 258.

Having both competed against and trained with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, Burns believes the next man in line has the tools and the talent to end Usman’s reign.

“I’m telling you right now, Leon Edwards is very underrated,” Burns told Brendan Schaub on ‘Food Truck Diaries.’ “That guy is very good. Just think about it: a striker, long and a southpaw. That’s already tough, and that guy has a great team.”

Burns continued, “I know Kamaru pretty well, but that fight is gonna be close. That fight is gonna be close, and I think if you got these three guys, me in my opinion, Colby, Khamzat, and Leon, Leon has the best chance to beat Usman.”

Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards Are Rumored to Face Each Other at UFC 278 in August

Edwards (19-3-0) has won his last nine bouts dating back to 2016. In fact, his last recorded loss came against Usman the year before his active streak began. Edwards lost that bout via unanimous decision and has been working his way to a title opportunity ever since. That opportunity is now on the horizon. 

“I think because he’s a striker, and he can grapple, and he can wrestle,” Burns said. “Very long. These other guys are wrestlers. They can strike, don’t get me wrong. Both guys (Covington, Chimaev) can strike, but they are wrestlers. That guy (Edwards) is a striker.

“I think out of these three guys, Leon has more chance to beat Kamaru, and I think that fight is gonna be close. Kamaru is very smart. He’s been there a couple of times. I think he’s gonna take the fight very serious, but if he doesn’t, it’s a mistake. It’s a rematch, now fighting for the title. That guy’s been waiting for the opportunity.”

Per a report from Ariel Helwani, the UFC is targeting Usman vs. Edwards 2 for UFC 278 in August. However, Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed to Brett Okamoto that there is no current timeline for the champion’s return as he continues to recover from hand surgery.

Are you excited to see the long-awaited rematch between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards?

Coach: Chimaev Didn’t Do Anything We Worked On At UFC 273

Khamzat Chimaev got the win at UFC 273 but not by following the game plan. Chimaev is a rising star in the UFC. Since making his debut in the summer of 2020 in Fight Island, he has been turning heads. He is now 5-0 in the UFC and just got his first win over a…

Continue Reading Coach: Chimaev Didn’t Do Anything We Worked On At UFC 273 at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev got the win at UFC 273 but not by following the game plan.

Chimaev is a rising star in the UFC. Since making his debut in the summer of 2020 in Fight Island, he has been turning heads. He is now 5-0 in the UFC and just got his first win over a top-five opponent. His win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 might have put him in a good position for a title shot soon.

If the fight against Burns showed one thing it is that Chimeav can go the distance. It was the first decision victory of his professional career. Some fans and critics believe that his weaknesses may have been exposed in that fight, but his coaches have another theory.

“Of course, I didn’t like the way that he wanted to knock the guy out and show everyone that, ‘Look, I’m just gonna walk through this guy as well.’ We had a game plan,” Chimaev’s coach Andreas Michael told MMA Fighting. “The game plan was that he should just keep it simple… He goes in there and tries to knock the guy’s head off from the first moment, which was not the plan. The plan was to box him, keep the jab going. That’s the way to handle that situation. He did absolutely everything we didn’t work on.”

Following the bout, Chimaev himself was disappointed in his performance. Although he acknowledged that he had made mistakes, he seemed eager to right his wrongs and get back to work.

Chimaev has been asking for a fight with Colby Covington next and although the UFC might be interested in that fight, there are plenty of options available to Chimaev, including recent reports of a potential Chimaev/Nate Diaz pairing.

What did you think of Chimaev’s performance at UFC 273 against Gilbert Burns?

Continue Reading Coach: Chimaev Didn’t Do Anything We Worked On At UFC 273 at MMA News.