Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal discussed his fight with Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, scheduled for UFC 287 in Miami, Florida, with MMA addict. Gilbert Burns’ face will be painted like Vincent Van Gogh’s work at UFC 287 in Miami, according to Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal will welcome Burns to his homeland in an effort to reclaim the welterweight title with a victory.
Masvidal said the following regarding the upcoming fight:
“This chapter (of my career) would be called: Gilbert ‘The Stepping-Stone’ Burns,” Masvidal said. “It’s no diss to Gilbert. I think he’s a good competitor and he comes to fight and stuff like that for the most part, but we’ve never been on the same skillset. As far as gameness and toughness and durability, he’s never had it, either. You crack him and he starts skating.”
“I know he’s good in the jiu-jitsu world, but his wrestling ain’t that. I’ve only been focusing on the last six months that I can deal with these wrestlers efficiently, get to positions efficiently, not waste as much energy. I’m going to paint my Van Gogh on Gilbert’s face. Elbows, knees, kicks, takedown defense, takedown offense – all that good stuff. I’m going to bring it.”
In order to win a shot at the title, Masvidal, who currently holds the BMF belt, vows to make quick work of Burns. Masvidal claimed that this was his course of action and that he had “insider information” in the same interview.
He asserted that he would be given the opportunity to compete against Leon Edwards if he were to defeat Burns. This does not seem too unlikely given the relationship between Edwards and Masvidal and the popularity of “Gamebred.”
Gilbert Burns feels he can win Colby Covington’s opportunity to defend his championship at UFC 287
Even though Gilbert Burns is aware of what has been said, he still believes he has a chance to face UFC welterweight king Leon Edwards in the near future.
Burns, the current top contender and a former title competitor, believes he can defeat Colby Covington in their upcoming championship fight by dominating in his comeback fight. The co-main event of UFC 287 is scheduled to take place on April 8 in Miami and features Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC).
Burns is confident that with the proper performance, Covington will be put behind him despite UFC president Dana White repeatedly stating that Covington is the next opponent.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Burns says, “One hundred percent, I can steal the show and put doubt on everyone’s mind. It all depends on the performance. If I go out there and dominate this guy and finish what Colby didn’t do in this last fight, what took Kamaru (Usman) seven rounds to do. If I go out there in one or two (rounds), I think that says a lot. So we’ll see. We’re still 11 days to the fight, there’s work to do, but I’m confident that I’m going to finish Jorge Masvidal.”
Burns won’t worry if Covington wins the next opportunity to defend his championship at 170 pounds. The Brazilian will continue to follow his guiding principle of “anyone, anywhere, anytime,” even though he doesn’t believe Covington’s recent performance merits a title bout.
Regarding Covington, Burns said,“It’s been almost one year since he fought Masvidal, and now he’s coming off two wins, two losses in his last four fights. He sat down for a year. I remember the rumors after Khamzat (Chimaev) missed weight and fought Kevin Holland. He was supposed to fight Colby, and I don’t know what happened. Then it was Shavkat (Rakhmonov). He was supposed to fight Colby, and that never happened. Now that guy comes out of nowhere and steps in. Colby is smart, but I don’t know why the UFC is giving the opportunity to the guy, but it is what it is. I hope that doesn’t happen.”
“I have the opportunity on April 8 to make a doubt in everyone’s mind and go out there and finish this guy spectacularly. I hope Leon is there. I hope Dana is there. I hope Colby is there. I will put on a clinic against this guy and try to get a title shot. But I’m not going to cry about it if they give it to Colby.”
He continued:
“I want a clear path. OK, everything goes good against Jorge, what should I do now? Otherwise, I just sit down and wait like this guy is doing and then deserve it. It’s not just because it’s me, but I’m willing to fight anyone, and I’ve proved that over and over. Yet, this guy sits down for a year and he gets the opportunity. I don’t know, it just doesn’t make sense. I’m not crying about it. He does whatever he wants to do. He talks and everyone talking about him now. But deserving, earning? I don’t think he did. I’m the only guy in the division that’s willing to fight anyone, and I’m going to keep doing that.”
The main event of UFC 287 will be Adesanya vs. Pereira 2, with Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns serving as the co-main event.
Adesanya will compete against Alex Pereira for the middleweight championship at UFC 287 in addition to Masvidal taking on Burns in his own backyard. With the exception of the main event and co-main event, the remainder of the card includes exciting fights between fighters like rising star Adrian Yanez, fan favourites Kevin Holland and Santiago Ponzinibbio, and 18-year-old sensation Raul Rosas Jr.
