The 34-year-old Brazilian BJJ star and MMA Fighter is back in the winning waters after defeating Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in a title fight at UFC 264. Gilbert ” Durinho ” Burns has fought twice this year, and in February Kamaru Usman knocked him out in the third round of the UFC welterweight belt. “Durinho” had a difficult exam last weekend in the form of an extremely uncomfortable Thompson, but he provided a very good tactical performance and rejoined the fight for the next challenger. Burns has listed a number of names he would love to fight in his next performance, but one name he still prefers.
”I just won the ”NMF” belt (Nicest Mother Fucker). Now I want a “BMF” belt (Baddest Mother Fucker). If Leon Edwards wants a fight, I’m ready. Nate Diaz can also get her own. However, the fight with Masvidal is the one I really want, but he has two defeats in a row. Jorge brings in a lot of money and so they have to thicken my fee to fight him. I will fight Masvidal if you put me on a PPV show. I know I recently fought for the title and I can’t immediately look for a new opportunity. I don’t believe they will give it to me and that’s why I want to keep working. I plan to stay disciplined and improve further. I have to find a balance that will keep me disciplined, but at the same time, I will end the fights. ” Burns said at a news conference after the UFC 264 event. By the way, Stephen Thompson was often called the “Nicest Mother Fucker” and this is the source of Burns’ statement about the “NMF” belt.
It was expected that Gilbert Burns could be a dangerous and embarrassing test for Kamaru Usman who is currently acting invincible. He had “Durinho” of his moments in that fight, but when Usman grabbed the strings and imposed his pace, he soon came to victory by knockout. Burns is thinking a bit about the rematch and thinks he knows what needs to change in his preparation.
”I have to change a lot of things in my preparations. I work a lot on mental change. I got into that fight extremely angrily, I was emotional and it cost me that fight. I have to stay disciplined and be more technically sophisticated. So I want to do one or two more fights before the next belt attack and I have no problem with that. I just did something that guys like Johny Hendricks and Tyron Woodley failed at. I tore down Wonderboy in a way that didn’t work for them. Anyway, I will continue to progress and try to reach the finish line next time.”
Gilbert Burns thinks well and it is a real refreshment to see a fighter at the top of the category who does not think that one victory automatically makes him the next challenger. The Brazilian is aware that he has lost the belt fight relatively convincingly and that he has to work extra before a new opportunity arises. For a long time, Gilbert Burns did not act as a fighter who would reach the very top, but 2019 and the return to the welterweight category bring a turn in his career. Four wins in a row gave him a chance to win the belt. Although he was not successful, with the victory against “Wonderboy” he proved that he belongs to the elite group of the welterweight category, and his progress is visible in every performance he makes. Whether that will be enough to win the belt one day remains to be seen.
