Gilbert Burns believes Conor McGregor could be one of the next challengers for Kamaru's welterweight title, which could push him down the list.
Burns will face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 on April 9 in a bout that has been called a No.1 contender fight by Dana White, with the winner expected to face the winner of Usman's next fight with Leon Edwards. But having already lost to Usman, the Brazilian understands that there is a very real possibility of McGregor sneaking in and taking an historic title shot.
McGregor has demanded an opportunity at the title when he returns to the octagon later this year after suffering a broken leg in his last outing with Dustin Poirier. And it appears Burns has resigned himself to the likelihood that McGregor may be granted the fight, meaning he would likely need another bout should he beat top prospect Chimaev.
"That guy, he has the power," Burns told Mirror Fighting to promote his partnership with Love Hemp. "If he really wants it, he can get it. I don't think he should because of the last results, he didn't have a great performance.
"But he's the kind of frickin' guy who can make it happen. I don't feel bad because I still believe that I will be fighting for the title, and yeah it feels that it doesn't make sense and it's not going to happen.
"This frickin' guy can make it happen so we'll see, and until that I need to try and get the title and be the guy that he's going to face, that's one of my goals."
Would you be annoyed if Conor McGregor jumps the line for a welterweight title shot ahead of other top contenders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
And while Burns refuses to rule out the possibility of a monstrous upset from McGregor, he struggles to see how the Irishman can win without drastic changes to his training.
"I do believe he's got chances against a lot of guys," Burns admitted. "But he's got to make a change like the frickin' Rocky Balboa movies, get out of the drinking and going out.
"I do believe he can, but he has to go back to the hungry Conor McGregor from back in the day, but he needs to go away to a mountain or something with his team, family, just training and relaxing.
"Someone needs to take his phone, get rid of the yes men around him and then he can come back. Other than that, if he doesn't make a big change, I don't think that he can do everything he did again."
UFC Welterweight contender and multiple-time BJJ world champion Gilbert Burns was speaking as an ambassador for Love Hemp.
