Gilbert Burns suffered a third-round TKO loss to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 258 which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It was supposed to be the toughest fight of both fighters’ careers. Both Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns were previously teammates and were training under Henri Hooft. Both fighters have sparred each other countless times and know each other’s gameplan very well.
In the opening round, Gilbert Burns had huge successes as he hurt Usman early with a hard right hand and couple of leg kicks. But Kamaru Usman overcame and ascended as he dropped Gilbert Burns in the second round with an orthodox jab and then dropped him again in the third round, as he landed a jab from the southpaw stance, which he then followed up with some ground and pound until the referee had to step in to stop the fight.
Gilbert Burns is now already looking for an Octagon return in May or June against the likes of Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, Michael Chiesa or even Khamzat Chimaev. However, he is also interested in a rematch against Kamaru Usman.
“I believe the rematch is going to happen, and I would love to have Henri there with me,” Gilbert Burns said. “I missed that guy in my corner so much. … I hope he will be able to be there for the rematch because I do believe that rematch is going to happen in the future, for sure.”
“I’m not going to decline a fight,” Burns said. “Dana already knows. Sean Shelby. Ali – Ask Ali. Those guys already know I will fight anybody in that division. I was the one calling everybody out and getting the short notice, and I guess I have to do everything back again.”
Gilbert Burns wants to become a champion
Gilbert Burns made it clear that he wasn’t going to give up and he said that he will either become a champion or die trying.
“I know what I did wrong, and I cannot wait to be back fighting again, giving my best. Like I said multiple times, I’m going to be champion, or I’m going to die trying, but a couple more weeks, I’ll be back on the horse again, training. I know that pain, so it’s OK right now. I’m feeling good right now because I know that feeling already, so I’ll be back very soon.” (H/T – MMAJunkie.com)
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