Tag: Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns Promised A Big Fight After UFC 273 Loss

Gilbert Burns’s loss at UFC 273 could be leading to big things. The top of the UFC welterweight is jam-packed with talented fighters. Following UFC 273, it seems that Khamzat Chimaev has drawn very close to title talks with his win over Gilbert Burns. The fight between the two was a three-round barnburner that earned…

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Gilbert Burns’s loss at UFC 273 could be leading to big things.

The top of the UFC welterweight is jam-packed with talented fighters. Following UFC 273, it seems that Khamzat Chimaev has drawn very close to title talks with his win over Gilbert Burns.

The fight between the two was a three-round barnburner that earned both men a Fight of the Night bonus. Although Khamzat came out on top on the judge’s scorecards, Burns may be receiving a nice opportunity for himself out of the loss.

Burns sat down recently with UFC President Dana White to discuss his fighting future. Burns explained to AG Fight what the bossman promised to him.

“I expected the win, but it happens. It had a great repercussion, everybody liked the fight. Yesterday, I had a meeting with Dana White, he was thrilled,” Burns said via LowKickMMA.com. “He said my next fight is going to be a big one. I don’t know who it’s going to be against, but I liked what he said. He promised me a big fight. I chose to believe him and I’m at ease now. Let’s wait and see.”

Burns has lost two fights now of his last three. The loss to Chimaev his last time out and a title loss to Kamaru Usman back in Feb. of last year. Despite the losses, Burns has proven that he is one of the best at 170 pounds and is still cemented at the top of the division. Big fights that could be in the scheme of things for Burns could include, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, or Colby Covington. A win over any of those names would bode well for Burns.

Prior to his last title shot, Burns signed a new contract with the UFC. He feels that, even though he still has fights left on his current deal, it might be time for some negotiating.

“It’s almost certain that they’ll give me a new contract,” Burns said. “I renewed it in my fight against Usman. It was six fights. I fought Kamaru, Thompson, and now Chimaev. I still had three more to go, but it’s ‘promised’ that they’ll give me a new one. I hope it all works out. It’s not certain, but I think I can ask for a new one after a performance like that.”

What do you want to see next for Gilbert Burns?

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Whittaker Shares The Factor That Helped Chimaev Survive Burns Fight

Robert Whittaker believes there is a reason why Khamzat Chimaev beat Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. Chimaev was set to face Burns in the toughest test of his career, but he was a sizeable betting favorite, and many expected the Swede to run through the Brazilian. Yet, the fight was more competitive than some predicted,…

Continue Reading Whittaker Shares The Factor That Helped Chimaev Survive Burns Fight at MMA News.

Robert Whittaker believes there is a reason why Khamzat Chimaev beat Gilbert Burns at UFC 273.

Chimaev was set to face Burns in the toughest test of his career, but he was a sizeable betting favorite, and many expected the Swede to run through the Brazilian. Yet, the fight was more competitive than some predicted, as Burns was there from start to finish and even appeared to rock Chimaev.

According to Whittaker, he says Chimaev’s chin and durability played a role in him getting the win due to the fact he hasn’t taken much damage yet.

“Mate, that was a nuts fight. It was great… I think what played into Khamzat’s biggest favor was the fact that throughout his career, he’s taken little to no head damage,” Whittaker said to Submission Radio. “I think if Khamzat fought that fight in five years’ time, after he’s fought killers like Burns at the top of the food chain for a while, he doesn’t make it through that fight, because he took some massive shots. Burns switches dudes off. But they fought now and Khamzat fought like the highest caliber, like he’d been in the top 10 for a while.”

Khamzat Chimaev Gilbert Burns
Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns

Whittaker certainly has a point as, throughout his MMA career, Khamzat Chimaev was able to escape without getting hit. He was only hit once in his first four UFC fights, which is why the Aussie thinks his chin and durability were as good as it was against Burns.

With Chimaev getting the win, he has called out Colby Covington for his next fight, a bout UFC President Dana White has also spoken out in favor of. The winner would then get a title shot to face the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2.

As for Robert Whittaker, he recently had to pull out of his scheduled bout against Marvin Vettori due to an injury.

Do you agree with Robert Whittaker’s comments?

Continue Reading Whittaker Shares The Factor That Helped Chimaev Survive Burns Fight at MMA News.

Gilbert Burns Doubts Colby Covington Accepts Fight Against Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat ChimaevHaving shared the Octagon with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev earlier this month at UFC 273, Gilbert Burns has claimed that he doubts former interim champion, Colby Covington will accept a fight against the Chechen, despite plans from the UFC to pit the two against each other this year. Burns, a one-time welterweight title challenger, featured […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Having shared the Octagon with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev earlier this month at UFC 273, Gilbert Burns has claimed that he doubts former interim champion, Colby Covington will accept a fight against the Chechen, despite plans from the UFC to pit the two against each other this year.

Burns, a one-time welterweight title challenger, featured in a high-profile main card clash against Khamzat Chimaev earlier this month at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida – suffering a close, unanimous decision loss to the latter.

The loss returned Burns to the losing circle after he had briefly returned to winning ways in July of last year with a unanimous judging win against Stephen Thompson. 

Gilbert Burns landed a whopping 119 strikes against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273

The Niteroi grappling ace has since welcomed a slew of potential fights since his early month loss to Khamzat Chimaev – including a five round rematch with the AllStars MMA staple, and offered to stand opposite Nate Diaz in the California’s final Octagon fight on his current deal.

As for Chimaev, the now-#3 ranked contender has been lined up to feature against former interim titleholder, Covington – atop an ABC broadcasted card by UFC president, Dana White, however, as far as Burns is concerned, he doubts Covington agrees to fight Chimaev next.

“That’s a tought fight, but first thing is first – Colby (Covington) has to accept the fight and I don’t think he will,” Gilbert Burns told MMA Junkie during a recent interview. “I don’t know why, but I just have a feeling he won’t accept the fight. That’s the feeling I have.”

As a result of Burns’ theory, he believes Chimaev will instead meet with the surging, Belal Muhammad – who recently avenged a knockout loss to Vicente Luque this month. 

“I think it will be a very tough fight, a very, very close fight,” Gilbert Burns said. “But I don’t think he’ll say yes. I just don’t think. Maybe Belal (Muhammad) is there and they make Belal vs. Khamzat Chimaev. I said I’ll be ready for a rematch, so we’ll see. I want big fights, that’s what I’m looking for next. But I don’t think Colby will fight Khamzat.” 

In his most recent victory, Covington headlined UFC 272 back in March against Jorge Masvidal. Handing his former American Top Team teammate a relatively straightforward unanimous decision loss.

However, according to Burns, Covington’s recent opponents – outside of champion, Kamaru Usman – which include the veterans, Tyron Woodley, and Robbie Lawler, indicate that he won’t fight the undefeated Chimaev.

“Because lately, he’s (Colby Covington) just getting the fights against guys that are coming off a loss and he picks and chooses,” Gilbert Burns said. “I just don’t think he will do it. I don’t know. It’s a feeling that I have. He’s not taking the fight.”

Gilbert Burns Responds To Nate Diaz’s UFC Request For A Fight

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has a solution for Nate Diaz’s repeated calls for a return to the Octagon. Diaz was originally expected to fight Dustin Poirier next, but negotiations have stalled and the UFC has moved on from the matchup. Burns recently competed in a ‘Fight of the Year’ frontrunner against Khamzat Chimaev at…

Continue Reading Gilbert Burns Responds To Nate Diaz’s UFC Request For A Fight at MMA News.

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has a solution for Nate Diaz’s repeated calls for a return to the Octagon.

Diaz was originally expected to fight Dustin Poirier next, but negotiations have stalled and the UFC has moved on from the matchup. Burns recently competed in a ‘Fight of the Year’ frontrunner against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273, losing via unanimous decision.

Diaz hasn’t fought in the Octagon since his loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263. He was allegedly offered a fight with Chimaev last year but turned it down.

Burns is eager to get back in the cage following his three-round war with Chimaev. While Diaz is in a similar predicament, he’s repeatedly called on the UFC on social media to get him booked.

In a recent tweet, Burns offered to help Diaz find an adversary for his last UFC fight on his current deal.

“Trying to fight everybody [LAUGHS],” Burns tweeted. “I know a guy, [Nate Diaz].”

Burns went on to clarify his interest in a fight with Diaz next.

“Fight me Nathan,” Burns said.

Burns has also called for a five-round rematch with Chimaev, but it appears that Chimaev could get Colby Covington next. This could open the door to a potential fight between Diaz and Burns.

Before his loss to Chimaev, Burns earned a unanimous decision win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 after losing a welterweight title shot to Kamaru Usman at UFC 258.

While there doesn’t appear to be any bad blood between Diaz and Burns, there’s some interest from Burns in a potential fight with the Stockton star.

Would you be interested in a Gilbert Burns vs Nate Diaz matchup?

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Dustin Poirier Still Seeking An Opponent, Gilbert Burns Pitches Fight

UFC fighter Dustin Poirier is still eying a potential opponent for his Octagon return, and he may have a willing adversary in Gilbert Burns. Poirier is coming off an eventful 2021 in which he earned back-to-back wins over Conor McGregor and also challenged for the lightweight title. He had planned to face Nate Diaz next,…

Continue Reading Dustin Poirier Still Seeking An Opponent, Gilbert Burns Pitches Fight at MMA News.

UFC fighter Dustin Poirier is still eying a potential opponent for his Octagon return, and he may have a willing adversary in Gilbert Burns.

Poirier is coming off an eventful 2021 in which he earned back-to-back wins over Conor McGregor and also challenged for the lightweight title. He had planned to face Nate Diaz next, but it appears the UFC is moving on from the idea of the booking due to stalled negotiations.

Despite not getting his preferred opponent, it appears that Poirier is rejuvenated and focused on a return to the UFC, potentially as soon as this summer.

In a recent tweet, Poirier re-iterated his desire for a fight later this year.

“I want to fight,” Poirier tweeted.

It’s unclear if Poirier intends to return at lightweight or welterweight for his 2022 debut. He has previously hinted at a move to 170lbs following his lightweight title loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.

If Poirier intends on making good on his previous intentions, he seems to have a willing opponent in the form of Burns.

“170?” Burns replied.

Burns is coming off of a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273. After three rounds of nonstop action, Chimaev earned the win via a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.

A fight with Burns could make sense if Poirier moves up to welterweight. However, Poirier may also opt to stay at lightweight and potentially work his way towards a rematch with Oliveira.

Poirier and Burns both have their sights set on UFC title redemptions after falling short in their recent championship opportunities.

Who do you want to see Dustin Poirier fight next in his UFC return?

Continue Reading Dustin Poirier Still Seeking An Opponent, Gilbert Burns Pitches Fight at MMA News.

Stephens: Watching Chimaev/Burns Fired Me Up For Collard War At PFL 1

PFL lightweight Jeremy Stephens has named the war between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns as a motivation behind his own barnburner against Clay Collard. If fans thought the Fight of the Year conversation came to a close at UFC 273 earlier this month, they were sorely mistaken. At the opening event of this year’s Professional…

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PFL lightweight Jeremy Stephens has named the war between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns as a motivation behind his own barnburner against Clay Collard.

If fans thought the Fight of the Year conversation came to a close at UFC 273 earlier this month, they were sorely mistaken. At the opening event of this year’s Professional Fighters League season, former UFC mainstay Stephens reminded fans why he’s been an ever-present in the cage since 2005.

In his promotional debut, “Lil Heathen” opened his 2022 campaign against 2021 semifinalist Collard. Despite falling short on the scorecards, Stephens certainly played his part in an entertaining and memorable brawl.

Following the contest, Stephens credited the work of two UFC welterweight stars for firing him up ahead of PFL 1 on Wednesday.

Stephens Credits Chimaev & Burns For ‘Pumping’ Him Up

During his post-fight interaction with the media, Stephens pointed to the April 9 welterweight clash between elite UFC contenders Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns. The pair threw down for three rounds inside the Octagon at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.

Having seen that FOTY-worthy bout, “Lil Heathen” said he was fired up to debut in the PFL with a similarly “insane” matchup. To say he did just that would certainly be an understatement.

“He was getting tired, we were banging, who wouldn’t want to see another two rounds of that, right? … That was a sick-ass fight dude,” said Stephens. “You know, I watched that Chimaev and Burns fight, and that fight really pumped me up. I was like, ‘Dude, I wanna get into a f*ckin’ fight like that.’ And coming here tonight, you know, I’ve been watching Formula One, I was ready to die tonight.

“It’s been a long f*ckin’ layoff, so it was good to come in here and have that type of scrap, have a guy with a set of balls on him to fight me like that,” added Stephens. “I think I clipped him like seven, eight times dude. That was an insane fight.”

Taking the similarities beyond just the action, Stephens followed in the footsteps of Burns, who fell short at UFC 273, by admitting his frustration at not having another two rounds inside the cage with Collard. Like “Durinho,” Stephens is targeting a five-round rematch down the line.

The PFL environment makes that a big possibility. If both Stephens and Collard qualify for the lightweight playoffs at the end of the year, they could well get some more time to exchange leather.

What did you make of Jeremy Stephens’ PFL debut?

Continue Reading Stephens: Watching Chimaev/Burns Fired Me Up For Collard War At PFL 1 at MMA News.