Gilbert Burns has not long had his first UFC title-shot against Kamaru Usman, but the elite Welterweight is already eager to prove that he can earn the belt with a rematch against him. He sat down for an interview with TMZ Sports and the resulting video was uploaded to their official YouTube channel, where he outlined his plans for earning another chance to take on Usman. Burns explained that he isn’t asking for an automatic rematch or an easy path back to the title and is more than happy to earn his second chance by defeating one or two of the division’s top contenders:
“I want the one that will get me a clear way to the title. If that’s Leon Edwards, that’s the one that I want. If I need two more fights, give me Masvidal now and give me Leon Edwards later. I want to fight everyone in that division. Every top opponent I want to face. I still have a dream match with Colby. I still want a rematch with Kamaru. I want to beat Masvidal, I want to beat Nate Diaz, I want to beat Leon Edwards, I want to beat every single guy, especially a tough one in that division. It’s no pressure, it’s just that if you want to fight for the title, you have to beat this guy, that’s the next guy. And I do believe it will be between Leon and Masvidal for my next fight.”
As a three-time IBJJF world champion and ADCC world championship medalist, many fans expected Gilbert Burns to represent the first real challenge that Kamaru Usman has faced on the ground. Instead, Usman managed to use his striking to outwork the challenger and eventually finish him with punches early in the third round. Since then, Burns has already defeated one of the best Welterweight fighters on the planet in Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, and should he also overcome Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal, his second title-shot would become practically undeniable.
