Gilbert Burns seems to have come to the end of his patience in waiting for his UFC Welterweight title shot, as he’s now challenged Nate Diaz to a grappling match instead. Burns issued the challenge on his official Twitter account and offered to put up $200,000 of his own money against $200,000 of Diaz’s so that the winner can walk away with a tidy sum. He also included Chael Sonnen and UFC FightPass in the tweet, suggesting that the match would take place on the upcoming Submission Underground 19 event, one that is already stacked with elite MMA fighters.
The challenge comes from Gilbert Burns after he and Nate Diaz have been feuding on social media recently, with both men taking public shots at the other. Diaz has not fought for the UFC at all in the last year with his last outing being a losing effort against Jorge Masvidal for the BMF title, although he’s recently dropped hints that his return could be in 2021. Burns on the other hand has had two consecutive “performance of the night” bonuses in that time, beating two Welterweight legends in Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley.
Those two victories have just been the most recent in a six-fight win-streak for the Brazilian, a streak that’s seen him display a growing talent for striking and substantial power in his hands. This is what has led to Burns being declared the top contender for the title, although he’s most recently had his title shot delayed for a second time after Kamaru Usman requested more time to heal from nagging injuries. Now, Burns seems to want to put that ADCC bronze medal and IBJJF World Championship to the test against one of the best submission artists in MMA.
So as my title fight is not scheduled yet, Let’s grapple! Let’s see who is the real gangster @NateDiaz209 so I put $200,000 you put $200,000 winner takes all at @ChaelSonnen @UFCFightPass what you say? pic.twitter.com/yaUFxUO6Ep
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 13, 2020
