Miami, FL – UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns gets a home game against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 on Saturday night, and it’s the perfect situation for him.
“When I heard they were coming to Miami I said yes. It’s a great day for me to come back. I was cleared to get back on training in November,” Burns told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“When they said Miami I said let’s do it. Then the first and only name that they said was Jack. Just said let’s go this guy deserves a chance on the top and I’m not going to be the guy that gonna say no. Let’s do it.”
Burns (22-6) suffered a shoulder injury at UFC 288 against Belal Muhammad that had him essentially fighting with one arm. After recovering he’s ready to come back against one of the toughest rising stars in Maddalena.
“He’s overall super good. I think he’s very tough, good boxing, good combinations. Come for the finish. He’s confident with his grappling, he can grapple, for sure he got take down defense. Training with Craig Jones, with (Alexander) Volkanovski, so I see a very tough challenge,” Burns said.
“I do believe I’m going to be able to get a finish, put him in a very bad position, hurt him, but he’s a very tough dude and I respect that.”
Burns belongs to one of the more interesting divisions where current champion Leon Edwards reigns. Recently the UFC attempted to put Edwards in a title fight, possibly at UFC 300, but none of the names they called accepted the fight.
Except for one man who wasn’t called, but many including Burns believe has earned the next shot at Edwards.
“I think Belal (Muhammad) is next. The guy deserve(s). He’s not, in my opinion, my favorite guy to watch but he does a good job. He beats everybody,” Burns said.
“I think Belal deserves it. Even then I don’t like him that much, but he been paying the dues. He’s been beating everybody.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Gilbert Burns above. He takes on Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 on Saturday night.
