UFC Welterweights Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards had choice words for one another via Twitter following the events of UFC 251. The highly-anticipated pay-per-view event was the inaugural event that took place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Chiefly, the short notice replacement saw Jorge Masvidal step in on 6-days notice helped to bolster the overall viewership.
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The original challenger to face ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was slated to be the Brazilian BJJ ace, Gilbert Burns. However, a week out from the fight, ‘Durinho’ would test positive for COVID-19 and was promptly removed from the card. Enter ‘Gamebred’ who would thus end up changing the narrative of fight week.
Gilbert Burns x Leon Edwards: Fighting words
Both elite 170-pounders believe they stake a claim to be the rightful top dog in a heavily stacked division. Depending on your basis of criterion, either fighter can make a plausible case for contention. Gilbert Burns feels like he’s rightfully next and made his position known to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani via Twitter
Only fair? Come on @arielhelwani I know you don’t like me and I couldn’t care less. But let’s go to facts I just k.o the number 5 and dominate the number 1(former champ) Leon has good wins but no one in the top 5 So as the REAL BOSS @danawhite said I’m Next! That’s Only Fair ✊🏾 https://t.co/OuIA0z8mUG
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2020
If the Englishman Leon Edwards is to be believed, he’s earned the right to the gold strap before anyone. He is currently on an 8-fight win streak in the division with his last loss coming to the champion in 2015. A rematch narrative is always compelling hence bolstering his claim for gold.
@GilbertDurinho Shut your mouth boy you're only where you are at due to good luck and circumstance. You have no place in the top 5 and you know it so sit the fuck down. You knocked out a 46 year old jujitsu guy and a washed woodley sit the fuck down
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) July 12, 2020
The two fighters continued to go back and forth in an ever-developing saga that has fight fans picking sides. The general consensus surrounding the situation entails that the two fighters square off against each other and leave nothing to fortune. However, given the aforementioned history surrounding UC 251, Burns appears to resist another pit-stop to gold.
Yes Leon you couldn’t fight twice, and your last fight was a year ago, and you want a title fight? 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ Leon go try to revenge the 3 piece and a 🥤 I just spoke with the boss 📱 I’m next! Better start to calling Jorge or Thompson forget bro no one cares abt Leon
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 13, 2020
Moreover, an overarching debate amongst MMA pundits and fans revolves around the quality of opponents faced. On paper, Burns has accrued victories over higher-ranked opponents in former champion Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia. Not to mention a winning streak that dates back 5 years helps put ‘Rocky’ in a commanding position.
The promotion has oftentimes chosen title contenders on multiple factors besides mere rankings. Fight fans await to see who Dana White and the UFC brass will call upon to face Kamaru Usman.
