One of the promotion’s long-tenured welterweights returns on Saturday, as former title challenger Gilbert Burns headlines UFC Vegas 106 at the Apex.
While the Brazilian has certainly reached veteran status at the age of 38, he still believes he has plenty to offer towards the top of the pecking order at 170 pounds.
To prove as much, Burns must defend his No. 8 spot in the rankings against a fast-charging prospect.
Lucky for him, ‘Durinho’ has been mentally preparing for the challenge for as long as nine months.
Gilbert Burns expected UFC Vegas 106 fight after seeing Michael Morales finish Neil Magny
While speaking to Simon Head for UFC.com, Burns revealed that he had a feeling a clash with Michael Morales was in his future last August.
That was after watching Morales crush Neil Magny in a first-round knockout that extended the Ecuadorian’s undefeated record to 17-0.
‘Durinho’ knows first-hand how to get the better of ‘The Haitian Sensation’. Burns submitted Magny 19 months prior at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro.
“I was watching the fight when he beat Neil Magny, and the way he beat Neil Magny, first round, freaking spinning elbow and stuff, I’m just like, ‘They’re gonna offer me this guy,’ and I already started training for him. I knew it.
“I started looking. Solid wrestling, good boxing, freaking 25 years old. He looks very athletic. He looks like a freak. So I’ve got to make sure I put in a lot of work and get ready for him.
“I think he deserves a crack at the top 10. A lot of guys would be [like], ‘Oh, I don’t want to fight back [down the rankings]. I’ll fight anyone. I want to get in that win column again. And Michael Morales, it’s your turn.”
Gilbert Burns has lost three of four fights since beating Neil Magny
Since a quick victory over Magny that secured Burns’ high-profile clash with Jorge Masvidal in Miami, the Brazilian has struggled to have his hand raised inside the UFC Octagon.
A comfortable triumph against Masvidal pushed ‘Durinho’ close to a second welterweight title shot and marked him out as one of the in-form men in the division.
But subsequent defeats to Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, and Sean Brady have stalled Burns’ momentum.
Given the manner of his losses to the former and current champions — an injury-affected result against Muhammad and a late comeback from Della Maddalena — Burns remains confident of his ability to compete with the best.
First things first, he’ll need to fight down the rankings and return to the winner’s circle at Morales’ expense.