RIO DE JANEIRO – Gilbert Burns wants Colby Covington next, but his UFC 283 callout didn’t come from a place of hatred.
Despite Covington’s past comments toward the people of Brazil, Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) indicated he actually likes his targeted foe. At a post-fight news conference following his win Saturday over Neil Magny (27-9 MMA, 20-8 UFC), Burns described a recent chance encounter he had with Covington at a hotel and casino in Hollywood, Fla.
“I looked at him. I (nodded) my head and he said, ‘Come here.’ I said, ‘Oh sh*t. It’s on.’ I walked to win and … I was ready,” Burns told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I said, ‘What’s up?’ He said, ‘Yo, I’m a huge fan, brother.’ He was super cool. I’m pretty honest right now. I don’t have to lie. He was super cool. ‘Yo, I’m a huge fan. I’m a character. I just want to make money. I appreciate you. You have a beautiful family.’ He was super cool. It was even getting weird because he was (going) for over two minutes, ‘Bro, I like what you did your last fight.’ I’m like, ‘Man, look at this guy.'”
