UFC 287: Maximum Pressure on Masvidal in Homecoming Against Reinvigorated Burns

By
Gabriel Gonzalez
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Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal, UFC 287 weigh-in
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: (L-R) Opponents Gilbert Burns of Brazil and Jorge Masvidal face off during the UFC 287 ceremonial weigh-in at Kaseya Center on April 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Pay-per-view superstar Jorge Masvidal has his back against the wall in his first fight in Miami with the UFC when he takes on the reinvigorated Gilbert Burns at UFC 287.

At times, a fighter can find themselves in the rare occurrence that a loss in a championship fight can actually help make them more popular than ever.  Such is the case for Gilbert Burns, who after being given the pay-per-view main event spotlight in 2021 has become even more beloved than before.  His reinvention as a welterweight and six fight win-streak propelled him to a title shot two years ago.  However, it was his subsequent bouts — a shut-down of perennial contender Stephen Thompson and his Fight of the Year candidate against Khamzat Chimaev — that have made him a highlight of any card he is on to the fans.

While he came up short against Chimaev, he bounced back last January with a throttling performance over fellow veteran Neil Many in January.  “Durinho” now finds himself with a special opportunity.  He is catching Jorge Masvidal at a time when it is suspected he may be slowing down in his career, and he has a chance to silence the Miami crowd in the co-main event of a stacked pay-per-view.  With a new champion at welterweight in Leon Edwards, his resume would be as strong in recent years as any contender for the next shot at the title with a victory on Saturday.

Burns has been a Florida resident for several years now, but there is no question that the fighter that Miami is most looking forward to seeing is Jorge Masvidal.  The pay-per-view lightening rod for the past several years has undergone a pro-wrestling type re-brand as a Scarface-inspired king of the Miami street scene, and it was embraced by fans as he has had a career year in 2019 that saw him gain stardom behind seminal performances against Ben Askren and Nate Diaz.  While there is a high stakes championship bout in the main event, most would argue that whether or not Masvidal wins will be the only thing that matters to the Florida crowd regardless of what happens in any other fight on Saturday.

Despite having been in two UFC title fights, this match may be the most critical of all.  Masvidal has been a professional for nearly twenty years and has had a career that has seen him go from the backyard fights promoted by Kimbo Slice to brushing against the summit of the UFC.  “Gamebred” is on a three fight skid that includes being on the wrong ends of the Knockout of the Year and a grudge match to his most hated rival.  At 38 years-old, he has suggested that he could be at the end of his career with a fourth straight loss.  Ironically, the landscape could see him soar back to the summit should he upset Burns.  His history with Edwards would be an easy sell on pay-per-view in the UK after their viral skirmish years ago, and give Masvidal one last chance at MMA immortality.

While UFC President Dana White has held firm on Colby Covington being the next title challenger for Leon Edwards, most believe an electrifying performance could catapult Saturday’s winner out of the spot.  While this is more in favor of Masvidal, Burns would make the most sense to step into the backup slot.  Should either man need another fight before competing for gold, then a bout with top contender Belal Muhammad also makes sense while Edwards and Covington schedule their bout.

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