Gilbert Burns conveys he was dejected when he saw Jorge Masvidal competing at UFC 251, the event he was supposed to headline.
Gilbert Burns, who in 2020, after garnering two straight wins was all set to contest for the Welterweight title witnessed his plans go haywire on two occasions.
Burns was scheduled to meet Kumaru Usman in the main event of UFC 251, the very event that kick-started the operations at fight island, but had to ultimately withdraw just two weeks before the event, on account of contracting the deadly virus.
His exit saw a dramatic entry of Jorge Masvidal, who replaced him in the card and made major headlines for taking the fight and cutting substantial weight on short notice.
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Gilbert Burns admits he was crestfallen when he saw Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 251
Reflecting on the same, in an interview with MMAFighting. Durinho expressed the spree of emotions he went through when he saw Gamebred in his place.
“I was watching that fight and I was almost in tears because when Masvidal was walking out to the fight. It was supposed to be me.
“When I saw him walking, it was supposed to be me. I held on because my kids were here, but I almost cried watching Masvidal walking in. That was my chance. It was supposed to be me”
Burns underwent recovery immediately and after spending some time in isolation, he recuperated and straightaway claimed that he is coming for the title. However, admits that it was for good that he did not compete at the Marquee event of July.
“My energy level was not normal coming back. It’s a long process, I was not at 100 percent.”
“I feel better that I didn’t fight. I know that sounds weird, but if I got that virus and for any reason tested negative, I was going into the fight and I wasn’t feeling good. Don’t get me wrong, even if I’m not feeling good, I’m going to fight, anyway.
“I’m not going to pull out, especially for a title fight. I’m going to give my best. I don’t know if my best will be enough, but I’ll never pull out of the fight. But to take me out and I got home and started getting sick, I definitely see it as a blessing,” Burns added
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Gilbert Burns Vs. Kumaru Usman: UFC 258
Gilbert Burns Vs. Kumaru Usman was then later targeted for the December 12 fight card but, it was the champion who pulled out this time because of unstated reasons. However, the position of Burns as the No.1 contender did not change and now he is eager to step inside the arena once again.
Kumaru Usman Vs. Gilbert Burns is now reportedly the feature fight of UFC 258, which is set to take place in February.
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