UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns wants his shot at the title, and knows which opponent he would prefer to face.
After his big unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in the co-main event of UFC 287, Burns (22-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) laid out an ultimatum to the promotion: either give him a title shot or release him from his contract. It was a bold statement that was luckily well-received by UFC president Dana White, who agreed at the post-event press conference that Burns would indeed be next in line for a title shot after champ Leon Edwards faces Colby Covington.
While the upcoming title fight between Edwards and Covington is not set in stone with a confirmed date, that’s the matchup the promotion wants to go with next. Whenever it happens, Burns wants to be the backup for that fight. Although he hopes his services aren’t needed in that role, he knows who he wants to emerge victorious so he can properly prepare for his second shot at the title, and that’s Covington.
“I just like his competitiveness,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “For sure the way he talks I think it’s going to bring a lot of eyes to the fight, but he has a good pace. The guy don’t stop coming. I think we’re gonna wrestle, we’re gonna grapple, we’re gonna strike – it’s going to be fun to be in that fight.
“Colby’s going to be fun the whole way, press conference, faceoff, the build up to the fight. You know he’s talking sh*t about Brazil, the whole thing. I just like the whole idea. That’s what it’s going to be, a great fight, and I’m looking forward to this fight.”
Not only does Burns feel fans would enjoy the pre-fight build to a fight against Covington, he believes the former interim champ would be a tougher opponent for him inside the cage, without discounting the challenges that the champion Edwards would present.
“Colby, for me, is the hardest fight, but it’s the perfect fight,” Burns said. “It’s the fight that I’ve wanted for so long. I’ve studied him many times and yeah, I would love to face Colby. … I like both fights. I’d like to fight Leon too, but favorite one as not just me, but as a fan watching, me versus Colby would be a crazy fight.”
Check out the full interview with Burns in the video below.
