Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns, two of the best welterweights in the world, will square off in five rounds in the new co-headlining bout for UFC 288.
The booking was made public by UFC President Dana White during a special announcement that was broadcast on the campaign’s YouTube page. The main event of UFC 288 is a bantamweight title fight between champion Aljamain Sterling and former champion Henry Cejudo, which takes place on May 6 at the Prudential Centre in New Jersey. Live streaming of the main card is available on ESPN+.
“What I love about this fight is both guys wanted it to be five rounds,” said White. “Two of the best guys in the division, and both guys think they deserve a title shot after this.”
In a last-minute offer to step up, Burns, who had just defeated Jorge Masvidal in the co-main event of UFC 287, called out Muhammad and previous interim champion Dustin Poirier.
Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns will meet in a five-round co-main event at UFC 288 on May 6, UFC announced.
The bout will be at welterweight. pic.twitter.com/lgsbr7rKo3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 21, 2023
Burns, the No. 5 welterweight in the rankings, and Muhammad, rated No. 6, engaged in verbal sparring after Muhammad was accused of declining a bout at UFC 283. Muhammad has won all nine of his fights in the octagon, most recently defeating prospect Sean Brady at UFC 280.
The lightweight bout between former champion Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush is replaced by the welterweight contest after Oliveira’s injury forced a rescheduling for UFC 289 instead.
UFC 288: Belal Muhammad vs Gilbert Burns Fight Card
- Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo
- Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns
- Jessica Andrade vs. Yan Xiaonan
- Movsar Evloev vs. Bryce Mitchell
- Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain
- Nate Maness vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
- Andre Petroski vs. Armen Petrosyan
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Virna Jandiroba
- Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya
- Daniel Santos vs. Johnny Munoz
- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Devin Clark
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