Gilbert Burns believes a win over Khamzat Chimaev will get him right back to the title.
It can be a long, tough road back when you lose a title fight. Well, for some fighters. Robert Whittaker had to go through three tough top contenders, Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Kelvin Gastelum. On the flip side, Colby Covington just had to beat Tyron Woodley, and he got a rematch with Karamu Usman.
Burns has already started his climb back to the title when he dominated Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. However, he believes with a win over undefeated phenom Chimaev; he will get a title shot.
Title shot or bust
Speaking with The Schmo, Burns laid out his plan and why he deserves another title shot.
“I want to fight for the title. Why should I fight Colby or [Jorge] Masvidal? I have nothing against these guys, I don’t want to push anyone down. I don’t want to put myself up there [in the division] while pushing anyone down. I respect everyone in the division, I think it’s one of the toughest divisions. Beating Chimaev, No. 11 in the division, with all of that hype, to be completely honest, I don’t have to fight these guys,” Burns said.
“But, I’m a fighter, I’m a competitor. I want to fight and stay active. None of these guys want to fight me, the only guy is willing to fight me is Chimaev, so why not? I’m going to fight the guy. Beating this guy and taking the hype away, the only fight I’m doing is a title shot. That’s the only fight I’m taking.”
“If I beat Khamzat Chimaev, I fight for the title. If Khamzat beats me, he fights for the title. I think that’s it, the #1 contender fight.”
Burns has called his shot, and with a win over Chimaev, can you blame him?
The fight is not official; however, the rumors are the pair of welterweights will collide at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida. Burns has requested a five-round fight, but nothing is confirmed.
