Despite the rankings gap, Burns sees value in the matchup and outlines his path forward in the welterweight division!
In the UFC, fighters typically chase opponents ranked above them. Gilbert Burns is a veteran welterweight. He has fought the who’s who of the division, including Kamaru Usman, Belal Muhammad and current champion Jack Della Maddalena. At 38, he is seeking to give it one final push before he decides to hang up the gloves for good.
The #8 welterweight contender has agreed to face #12-ranked Michael Morales this weekend, a decision that has raised eyebrows across the fighting community. Why would Burns, desperately seeking to climb back into title contention, risk his ranking against a lower-ranked opponent? It’s a question that’s sparked debate.
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Burns is currently riding a three-fight losing streak. He recently opened up to Kevin Iole about his surprising decision to fight the #12 UFC ranked contender.
“People ask me why I took this fight against Morales, but I don’t see it that way. I’m coming off two losses, I have to give someone the opportunity.”
The Brazilian fighter remembers being in Morales’ position years ago. He was a hungry up-and-comer making noise and trying to break into the elite ranks. Burns credits veterans like Damian Maia and Gunnar Nelson for giving him opportunities when he was climbing the ladder, and feels it is his turn to pay it forward.
What makes Burns’ decision particularly refreshing is his no-nonsense approach to the fight game. In an era where many UFC fighters carefully pick and choose opponents to protect their rankings, Burns boldly declares he is “in the fight business to compete against the best.” He isn’t interested in playing politics or waiting for the perfect matchup. If fans want to see him fight someone, he is game. This old-school mentality has won him tremendous respect from the MMA community.
Burns hasn’t had it easy lately. His last three fights ended in defeats against Sean Brady, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad. At 38 years old, many fighters would be looking for a safe route back to the win column. Instead, Burns is challenging himself against one of the division’s most dangerous prospects.
Michael Morales isn’t just any lower-ranked fighter. At just 25 years old, the undefeated prospect boasts a perfect 17-0 record and is widely considered one of the most promising talents in the welterweight division. The matchup promises fireworks this weekend, with Burns hoping to snap his losing streak while Morales aims to remain perfect and claim his biggest win yet.
(Image Credit: Jason da Silva – Imagn Images)
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