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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: Gilbert Burns of Brazil prepares to fight Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: Gilbert Burns of Brazil prepares to fight Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns took to social media on his birthday and fired shots at fellow contender Leon Edwards. ‘Durinho’ made it clear after his most recent win over Stephen Thompson that he’s determined to claw his way back to a title shot. Beating Leon Edwards would effectively remove the only roadblock standing between him and a rematch with Kamaru Usman.
Gilbert Burns hit out at Leon Edwards and offered to fight him anytime closer to the end of the year. Chiefly, an October-November timeline matches up well for both men considering the dates of their previous matches.
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Leon why you so quiet? @Leon_edwardsmma nobody respect but I do! When we fight? October? November? You tell me!
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 20, 2021
Upon not receiving a response from Edwards, Gilbert Burns doubled down and found another way to grab Edwards’ attention.
What time is it in the 🇬🇧 now ? Someone is too quiet! 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️👀👀👀
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 21, 2021
Burns is well aware that he won’t be getting a title shot off a single win over ‘Wonderboy’ considering his UFC 258 defeat. He was cleanly TKO’ed by Usman in their title fight and will need another win at the bare minimum. However, Burns isn’t waiting around and it’s clear he wants to capitalize on what are his prime years.
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Gilbert Burns x Leon Edwards: An Overview
‘Durinho’ is 7-1 in his last 8 fights with his defeat coming to the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’. Ever since he was knockout out by Dan Hooker at lightweight, Gilbert Burns went out of his way to change things up in his career. He’s now well-suited to the welterweight division and he’s become one of the heaviest hitters in the division.
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BRASILIA, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 24: Gilbert Burns of Brazil punches Michel Prazeres of Brazil in their lightweight UFC bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Nilson Nelson gymnasium on September 24, 2016 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Gilbert Burns’ strength lies in his ability to dictate the real estate of the octagon and move the fight on a whim. He can transition smoothly from striking with his opponent to body-lock grappling against the fence on a dime. Furthermore, his power will always be an x-factor that makes him dangerous across the duration of five rounds.
Leon Edwards is 9-0-1 since losing to Kamaru Usman all the way back in 2015. He’s coming off a dominant unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz that once again showcased his crisp striking. Leon Edwards is much more than just a stop to a title shot for Burns and he can potentially cause him a lot of trouble.
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