Gilbert Burns isn’t 100 percent sold that Jorge Masvidal will stay retired from MMA.
“Right now he’s retired, and as a title contender he’s retired, but for big money fights against (Conor) McGregor or Nate Diaz or another big name, I think he returns,” Burns recently told MMA Junkie in Spanish.
Burns (22-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) was the final opponent of Masvidal’s career as the two fought in the co-main event of UFC 287 earlier this month in Miami. Immediately after Burns was announced the winner by unanimous decision, Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) revealed to the world that it would be his final performance, putting an end to a 20-year career.
Masvidal cited no longer feeling as skilled as he once was as the main reason for his retirement from fighting. Burns thinks “Gamebred” is being too harsh on his self assessment, as he thinks Masvidal is still at a good skill level.
“He was very dangerous in there,” Burns said. “He kept fighting the entire time. He’s very dangerous. Even when I was grappling him, he had all the answers. He knows how to respond, where to put his hands, what to do when he gets brought back to the canvas. He’s very intelligent. With all the training and work that I did with my trainers, he was still very smart.
“Some people ask me, ‘Why didn’t you knock him out? Why didn’t you knock him out?’ Man, he was always fighting. He’s a natural fighter, and there was never a moment I felt I could relax. If he wants it and feels he still has the heart, he can fight. But if his heart is not in it and doesn’t want to work hard, it’s time.”
“Durinho” felt the latest version of Masvidal in the octagon. He assures Masvidal is far from done skills wise. If Masvidal no longer has the desire to fight, that’s one thing. But if he wishes to return from retirement, Burns thinks Masvidal has the level to be in important fights, even if the title is no longer in his future.
“I feel like if he still wants, he can (continue fighting),” Burns said. “His level is still good. That guy is very intelligent, and he’s got a lot of experience. However, I also believe that when you feel like you don’t want anymore, you should probably stop.
“I do feel like he’s done chasing the title, but I believe that if McGregor wins or loses against Chandler, they’re going to make that fight with Jorge. McGregor is not really chasing the title, and I don’t see him hungry. I do think a great, a big fight, and Jorge comes back. He won’t return to make a run for the title, but if there’s a mega fight, I think he returns.”
