Newark, NJ — Gilbert Burns was promised a back-up spot for the eventual Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington welterweight title fight.
Rather than rest on his laurels and hope for an opening, or a shot at the winner, Burns (22-5), who fought just last month against Jorge Masvidal, opted to step up for a fight with Belal Muhammad.
That goes down this Saturday at UFC 288 in Newark, NJ. Of course, Burns didn’t take that fight without some assurances. Should he get the win, he explained during Wednesday’s media day, he’s next up for the title. Not just Burns, however.
“Both. They guaranteed us both. If Belal Muhammad wins, he’s next,” Burns told media outlets including Cageside Press. “If I win, I’m next.”
Burns pulled the trigger on his decision to stay busy after Edwards pushed the Covington fight to October, where it will reportedly headline the promotion’s Abu Dhabi card.
“When Leon pushed the fight to October, I said ‘you know what, I’m not going to take the risk. I’m not going to take the risk waiting, I’m going to take the risk fighting for what I want.'”
The co-main event slot is indeed a risk. Muhammad has won eight straight, officially, with a No Contest against Edwards right in the middle. It was Belal Muhammad who also requested that their UFC 288 match-up be five rounds.
“It’s going to be a hard fight, because this guy knows how to win, and that’s a big thing,” explained Burns, who noted that a lot of talented fighters don’t. “As crazy as it sounds, they find a way to lose. And this guy’s the opposite.”
Burns doesn’t see Belal Muhammad as great at anything, “but he’s good at everything. And he knows how to win. That is a hard fight right there already. The craziest thing is, that guy is so hungry too. When he asked for five rounds, I kind of like, my eyes blinked. I like this guy. I gotta respect the guy. I think he’s going to be so tough.”
“For sure, I’m looking forward to knocking this guy out, or submitting him. That’s what I’m going to do every time I step in there,” continued Burns. “But it might be a five-round war. He’s a tough one. He’s as hungry as me. Hungriest guys in the welterweight division are me and Belal Muhammad. So I think it’s going to be a war.”
While Burns has opted to stay busy and fight Belal Muhammad, don’t expect that again moving forward.
“If everything goes my way Saturday, May 6 and they still give the title shot to Colby, I’m going there for a back-up. Love the opportunities, I’ll be ready for any opportunity. But, let’s say of I go out there and just make weight, and these guys still fight each other, I’ll wait a little bit for the winner.”
Watch the full UFC 288 media day appearance by Gilbert Burns above.
