Gilbert Burns thinks Leon Edwards has a good chance to retain his UFC welterweight belt in a trilogy against Kamaru Usman.
The third meeting between Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) vs. Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) will be highly competitive in his estimation, but Burns ultimately sided with the Englishman. Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) thinks Edwards has momentum behind him, and if they were to fight in the U.K., there would be even a bigger advantage.
“I give a little more edge to Leon just because the way he won,” Burns told MMA Junkie Radio. “And being at home with no elevation, not like in Salt Lake City with that elevation, yeah, I give a little bit more edge. Very close fight, but I give a little bit more edge to Leon.”
The UFC has yet to book Edwards for his first title defense. Many expect Usman to get an immediate trilogy bout, given his previous title reign and the fact the two are tied at one win apiece.
A hard bout to predict in the potential trilogy, yes, but there’s a line of contenders who pose threats to the champion. Burns is unsure who will hold the UFC welterweight title but at the same time he cares very little. He plans to defeat Neil Magny at UFC 283 on Jan. 21 and build towards another title shot.
“I don’t know who will be the champion (at the end of 2023),” Burns said. “We’ll see what they do with Khamzat. I’m right there. Belal (Muhammad) is right there, and we don’t know what’s going on with Colby (Covington).
“That’s a good question. I don’t know who’s going to be champion. That’s one thing I can’t control. To be honest, for sure I want to know, but I don’t really care. I want to be ready. If that fight happens or not, if these guys fight or not, I don’t care. I’ll be ready. I’ll keep fighting and winning and whenever that’s established, I’ll earn myself another title shot.”
