Jump to
Gilbert Burns is one of the names being floated around to beef up UFC 288, according to Dana White. Over the weekend, the upcoming pay-per-view event on May 7th in New Jersey suffered a significant blow when former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira was forced off his scheduled co-headliner against Beneil Dariush due to an undisclosed injury.
With just a bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo left at the top of the event, the card seems like it could use some serious bolstering. For their part, fans have been quick to voice their disinterest.
Dana White says Burns could be the man to save the day
UFC president Dana White was asked about the event during the post-fight scrum for UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen on Saturday. In response, the UFC president confirmed that the promotion was currently making plans for possible fight additions.
“We’re working on it now. We’re actually working on it tonight. And I just told (matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) we’ll get together on Monday and button this up. Sean’s like, ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ So, we’ll get it done.”
Dana White was then asked about Gilbert Burns. Apparently the welterweight top contender has been actively reaching out to get a short notice booking.
“He’s been blowing me up all day, too,” White said of Burns. “So, probably.”
Burns was looking for a very different fight after UFC 287
‘Durinho’ is coming off a decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287 last week, and demanded to be a back-up fighter for Leon Edwards and Colby Covington.
“I’m gonna be a back-up. I’m going to. I’m not asking. I’m demanding that I’m going to. Because whenever they asked… any time the UFC gave me a call asking for opponents, I say yes. And now, I’m demanding.
“I’m going out there, I’m gonna do my training camp (for) five rounds. I’ll go to London, I’ll be the back-up, and I’m the next in line to fight for the title. Otherwise, let me go, my guy. Let me do my thing. These guys are making a million dollars a year in other organizations. Step up. That’s it.”
One possible opponent for Gilbert Burns is Belal Muhammad, who has been calling for a fight against Covington. The number-four ranked contender is on a four-fight win streak and is coming off a TKO win against Sean Brady at UFC 280.
For now, UFC 288’s co-headliner is a strawweight bout between former champion Jessica Andrade and Yan Xiaonan. Headlining the card is a bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and the returning former double-champ Henry Cejudo.
About the author
