Gilbert Burns threatened welterweight rival Jorge Masvidal's life as his kids watched on from the stage at tonight's ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 287 in Miami.
The Brazilian, who has relocated to Florida during his UFC career, will take on hometown hero Masvidal in Florida tomorrow night with both men making what could be a final push towards a world title effort. Burns is the hot favourite, but the Miami crowd were firmly on his opponent's side as they squared off one last time this evening.
Masvidal brought his children with him to join him on stage at the pre-fight event, which was packed with fans to watch both men face off. And they may have heard a bit more than expected when Burns threatened to "kill" their father on stage in a final message towards his rival.
After being separated during an intense face-off, Burns was interviewed by Joe Rogan and kept his comments brief, telling the booing crowd "I love it, keep that same energy. I'm going to kill your boy tomorrow, let's go." He quickly left the stage, not allowing for a follow-up from the famed commentator.
Masvidal, who was taunting Burns from across the stage with gestures indicating that he would be put to sleep, had previously told Rogan: "Everybody knows bring your pots and pans in Miami that's how we do we're going to hit the streets and mob out, all the goons light the sky up like the fourth of July.
"I'm going to knock you out I'm just telling you right now brother, it's nothing personal but I got to knock your a** out. I love all of you, Miami let's go, let's f***ing go."
Bookies have handed Burns a sizeable tag as favourite given his recent wins relative to Masvidal's lengthy losing run But he isn't taking any chances, understanding that the pressure of such a streak could create a more intense performance from his rival who was voted Fighter of the Year in 2019.
Who do you think wins out of Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
“That guy is game," Burns said this week after insisting that Masvidal was being '100 per cent' underestimated. "Like I said, 51 fights, plus maybe 20 more on the street? That’s 71 fights, that’s a lot. He’s also training with high level guys in American Top Team. I know his teammates.
"Those guys are good. Matt Brown, the guy who does he’s camp, he’s a great guy. I think he’s a game opponent. OK, he lost to Kamaru [Usman], but Kamaru is a pound-for-pound best. I lost to Kamaru ,too. He lost to Colby [Covington], yeah, but he’s a great opponent. So he lost to these guys and people are counting him out? I’m not.
“This guy is very tough, very durable. He’s a dog. … That guy is going to show up. I know people say, ‘Oh, that guy is older. He’s coming off three losses.’ I see the completely opposite. I see his back against the wall, he’s fighting at home, if he wins there’s a title shot, maybe. That guy is coming in hungry. I’m expecting that.”
