‘UFC said they’d give me a big fight’ – Burns ‘frustrated’ with Magny booking at UFC 283

It seems that UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns is feeling frustrated. Following a thrilling three-round battle against hot prospect Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 —…

By: Lucas Rezende | 8 months ago
‘UFC said they’d give me a big fight’ – Burns ‘frustrated’ with Magny booking at UFC 283
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

It seems that UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns is feeling frustrated. Following a thrilling three-round battle against hot prospect Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 — after which even Dana White praised ‘Durinho’ for his performance—the BJJ black belt expected a big name opponent for his next outing. But that’s not what he got.

Left waiting out the rest of 2022 since his bout in April, Durinho kept holding out hope for a match that made sense for him. When no takers could be found, the 36-year-old ended up taking a fight against seasoned veteran Neil Magny, just so he wouldn’t miss a chance to fight in his home country of Brazil at UFC 283. Nevertheless, he made it clear to Ag Fight that this was not a pairing he ever wanted.

“I was frustrated because after Chimaev, the UFC said they’d give me a big fight and I was waiting for that opponent,” Burns explained. “They tried Masvidal, but I don’t know what happened. They tried Belal, but he didn’t take it. It got to a point where I was like ‘Just give me someone’. I’m glad Magny accepted. I’m not undermining him. I’m focused. Magny is a long, experienced guy. I could say that Covington would be next, but if I lose to Magny, I’ll fall behind. He’s really tough. I appreciate him coming to Brazil.”

Prior to his loss to Chimaev, Burns (20-5) scored a unanimous decision win over Stephen Thompson, back in July 2021. That win came after the 36-year-old’s first UFC title fight against then champion Kamaru Usman, which he lost via TKO, in February 2021.

UFC 283, goes down this Saturday, Jan. 21st, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The card is set to be headlined by a light heavyweight bout for the division’s vacant title, between former champion Glover Teixeira and contender Jamahal Hill. The flyweight quadrilogy title bout between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno is exepcted for the co-main event.



Official UFC Fight Poster: UFC 283 – TWO TITLE FIGHTS! Teixeira vs Hill & Figueiredo vs Moreno 4

LIVE! STREAM #TEIXEIRAHILL & #FIGUEIREDOMORENO4 ON ESPN+!

WATCH UFC 283!!! VIEW TWO TITLE FIGHTS on Saturday, January, 2023 as UFC on ESPN+ brings you the first UFC PPV EVENT of 2023! Stream Glover Teixeira vs Jamahal Hill battling for the Vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in the Main Event. Plus, history in the making with Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno 4 for the UFC Flyweight Championship!

Plus: Paul Craig vs Johnny Walker, Jéssica Andrade vs Lauren Murphy, Gilbert Burns vs Neil Magny ALL ON THE MAIN PPV CARD! PRECEDED BY A FULLY STACKED UNDERCARD!

Broadcast LIVE from the #JeunesseArena out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, exclusively on ESPN+: PPV CARD 10/7PM ETPT, Featured Prelims on ESPN2 or ESPN+ 8/5PM ETPT, & Early Prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 5:30/2:30PM ETPT. Stay tuned to Bloodyelbow.com for all the details on this event!

Don’t miss a single second of epic face-punching action! #UFCBRAZIL

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About the author
Lucas Rezende
Lucas Rezende

Lucas Rezende is a Brazilian journalist and writer from Belem, Para. He has been covering MMA since 2012 and contributing with Bloody Elbow since March 2015. When not writing, Lucas also teaches English. In his free time, he enjoys reading, slapping the bass guitar and traveling.

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