- Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad argued on social media over weight-cutting issues that could stall their potential bout
- “Durinho” turned into Dustin Poirier instead
Right after top welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad verbally agreed to take on each other in a potential UFC 288 co-main event, “Durinho” hinted that it may not happen because “Remember The Name” couldn’t make weight.
May 6! Co main #ufc288 ☎️ pic.twitter.com/pa4OPiJVRJ
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 17, 2023
Muhammad came clean about struggling to make weight because of Ramadan, prompting Burns to shift his focus on another top contender in a different weight class – Dustin Poirier.
A little back and forth
Before Burns dismissed the idea of facing Muhammad, the two had a brief back-and-forth on social media. Initially, it seemed like a fight for the No. 1 welterweight contender was about to go down until “Durinho” brought up the issue with weight-cutting.
It didn’t take long for Muhammad to clap back and the agreement turned into an argument.
“Guy cannot make weight?,” Burns hinted.
Lol u just came off fight camp and made weight last week and u don’t want to do a catchweight with another welterweight that just got off the couch ?🤷♂️ https://t.co/v61KVSLOu6
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 17, 2023
“Lol u just came off fight camp and made weight last week and u don’t want to do a catchweight with another welterweight that just got off the couch ?,” Muhammad replied.
At one point, “Remember The Name” even responded to a fan, who barged in.
Lol felder wasn’t in Ramadan
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 17, 2023
In the end, Muhammad made it clear that he’s not backing down but he just couldn’t make 170 at the moment.
“[T]hat’s the fight game! To call someone out you have to man up and make weight! That’s not the friends game! I’m not your friend! Make weight and we fight!,” Burns pointed out.
Lol I don’t want to be your friend I wanna fight so let’s fight https://t.co/1k6sbnF9jS
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 18, 2023
“Lol I don’t want to be your friend I wanna fight so let’s fight,” Muhammad responded.
Finding the next best guy
A fight with Muhammad is massive but as it turned out, Burns is not open to waiting. Instead, he immediately called out Poirier, who is currently the No. 2 UFC lightweight contender.
“All do respect to @DustinPoirier I know you are a dog! May 6 I suppose to fight Belal for n1 contender! I just think me and you will be an amazing fight! Nothing but respect #ufc288,” Burns tweeted.
Poirier then swiftly responded and agreed to do it at 170.
“Respect Gilbert I can make 170 no problem, I’m not really in fight shape but [money] talks,” Poirier replied.
Respect Gilbert 👊 I can make 170 no problem, I'm not really in fight shape but 💰 talks
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 17, 2023
Burns is currently sitting at the No. 5 spot in the welterweight rankings, while Muhammad is just one ladder ahead at No. 4. They both hope to solidify their case for title contention and are both coming huge victories. Muhammad TKO’d Sean Brady at UFC 280, while “Durinho” had just secured a decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287. The same goes for Poirier, who pulled off a sensational submission win over Michael Chandler at UFC 281.
