The loss against reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 258 is still seemingly haunting down Gilbert Burns, who is willing to go all the distance to have his rematch.
And going that distance means facing the elites in the division- Jorge Masvidal, Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz.
Burns willing to fight “everyone” in the welterweight division
Seven years after his debut in the Octagon, Burns had his first title shot against Usman at UFC 258 which was hosted on 13th February at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas. Before the fight, Burns was coming off of a six-fight win streak and was high on confidence, but “The Nigerian Nightmare” pounded on him and defended his belt with a 3rd round TKO.
Having lost his first title shot in the promotion, the Brazilian is now iron-sighted on the Welterweight title, and to have his rematch with Usman, Burns is ready to take on the top contenders in the division, as he names Masvidal, Edwards and Diaz.
“I want the one that will get me a clear way to the title,” Burns said in an interview with TMZ Sports, “if that’s Leon Edwards, that’s the one that I want. If I need two more fights, give me Masvidal now and give me Leon Edwards later.”
“I’m not going to lie to you, I want to fight everyone in that division. Every top opponent I want to face. I still have a dream match with Colby. I still want a rematch with Kamru,” the 34-year-old, who hails from Rio, went on, “I want to beat Masvidal, I want to beat Nate Diaz, I want to beat Leon Edwards, I want to beat every single guy, especially a tough one in that division.”
Although “Durinho” is far from having the fights he wants, he marked a unanimous decision victory against number 4 ranked welterweight Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on 10th July.
“It’s no pressure, it’s just that if you want to fight for the title, you have to beat this guy, that’s the next guy. And I do believe it will be between Leon and Masvidal for my next fight,” Burns added.
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