LAS VEGAS – Gilbert Burns insists the UFC offered him Jorge Masvidal on numerous occasions.
Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC) denied ever being offered to fight Burns at UFC 281 on Nov. 12, UFC 282 this past Saturday or UFC 283 on Jan. 21, but Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) is calling shenanigans.
Although he was eager to face Masvidal next, an idea Burns says the UFC was all for, Burns decided to move on when the fight didn’t come to fruition. Instead, “Durinho” has been booked against Neil Magny at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro.
“He was lying, for sure, or Hunter (Campbell) and the UFC were lying,” Burns told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 282. “I don’t believe they were, but they offered me Jorge. ‘You want to fight Jorge?’ That was the question. ‘You want to fight Jorge Masvidal at MSG?’ You guys know what I’m saying. I said, ‘For sure.'”
Masvidal is scheduled for a Feb. 27 trial date for his alleged attack on Colby Covington in March in Miami Beach. He faces charges on single counts of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm and criminal mischief. If found guilty, Masvidal could face up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Burns is coming off a war against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 in April in which he pushed the unbeaten star to the brink. Chimaev has been linked to a bout with Colby Covington, but Burns thinks Chimaev will either end up rematching him or facing Belal Muhammad.
“I think that fight is not happening,” Burns said. “I don’t know. I think it will be me or Belal – I think one of us. I don’t think Colby’s fighting. It don’t look like it. That thing with Jorge is going to a different direction. I just think that fight, Khamzat and Colby, is not happening. That’s why I want to beat Neil Magny in Brazil and we’ll see what’s next.”
