Gilbert Burns Wants Big Fights With Diaz Brothers Or Jorge Masvidal: ‘I’ve Earned The Spot’

Burns feels he's earned the right to a big fight before returning to face his fellow welterweight contenders.

Gilbert Burns
(via @gilbert_burns - Instagram)

Gilbert Burns wants a big name next.

Burns is coming off a unanimous decision defeat in his back-and-forth welterweight war with Khamzat Chimaev this past weekend at UFC 273.

Despite the setback, Burns saw his stock rise tremendously given how much trouble he gave Chimaev over the course of the three rounds.

“Durinho” has since called for a rematch with Chimaev, but in a five-rounder this time. However, he acknowledged it likely wouldn’t happen in the next few fights at least.

With Chimaev likely to face Colby Covington next or receive a welterweight title shot, Burns will have to fight some other welterweight contenders to reenter title contention.

Gilbert Burns: I’ve Earned The Spot To Get a Big Fight

But with that said, Burns has some other things in mind — including some fights with big names.

“To be honest with you, I want a big fight,” Burns told TSN. “… I don’t know who. Nate Diaz’s name is always on my mind. Nate or Nick, that’s a fight that I’ve always wanted to do. We’ll see, I think maybe [Jorge] Masvidal, then I’ll fight contenders again.

“We’ll see. I think I’ve earned the spot to get a big fight. I just gave the opportunity to Khamzat, we had a war. I don’t know, I just feel that the way the fight went, he gave me an opportunity to explore a big fight.”

Of those fights, one with Masvidal certainly looks most likely.

Masvidal is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Colby Covington last month which put him on a three-fight losing skid.

Despite all that, he is still a big name in the sport and would likely be open to fighting Burns as well given the latter’s spot in the rankings.

Perhaps it will come to fruition in the next few months.

You can watch the interview snippet below:

Published on April 13, 2022 at 9:32 pm
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