Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns competed in the co-main event of UFC 288 inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event was headlined by the return of Henry Cejudo against Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title. However, the welterweight co-main event was also a highlight of the night, as Burns and Muhammad are among the top 170 lbs prospect.
Belal Muhammad was ranked fourth in the welterweight category before the bout. He was also on an eight-fight unbeaten streak, one of the division’s longest. Meanwhile, Burns was ranked fifth on the 170-pound roster. He was on a two-fight winning run, both victories coming in 2023. However, Muhammad was a betting favorite coming into the fight against the Brazilian.
Both the combatants were taking the fight slow after the first bell. But exchanged hard kicks from a distance. Burns was able to able to secure a takedown in the first round. But in the last minute of the round, ‘Remember The Name’ seemingly hurt Burns badly twice.
The fighters displayed lesser action in the second round. Similarly, the third round also saw less action, with both the fighters keeping a distance. However, ‘Durinho’ appeared to have an injury in his left shoulder, which Joe Rogan also pointed out.
Muhammad, on the other hand, found success in his leg kicks. Ultimately, after a five-rounds of a slugfest, ‘Remember The Name’ got a nod from the judges.
Final Result: Belal Muhammad defeats Gilbert Burns via a unanimous decision
Fans and UFC celebrities react to Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns
Muhammad was a favorite coming into the fight, and he certainly showed improved striking. He bagged a unanimous decision over Burns. According to reports prior to the fights, the winner was said to earn a title shot next.
Therefore, it remains to be seen if ‘Remember The Name’ receives a championship bout after such a win streak. Check out some of the reactions from fans and MMA stars below:
Conor McGregor seemed unimpressed by the result of the fight. He wrote, “That was a very poor bout. Piss poor.”
https://twitter.com/thenotoriousmma/status/1655065372570288129?s=46&t=iC8eK1uji2TpaXCwtpT8zQ
So Belal vs Colby or Belal vs Leon?! Which is the better fight to make #UFC288
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 7, 2023
Remember the name @bullyb170 🙏💰 pic.twitter.com/Cv7KOPabZB
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) May 7, 2023
That was a terrible terrible fight and it's mostly on the card makers. One guy has 3 weeks to get ready the other fought a month ago. Like wtf are these idiots thinking. That was a horrendous display. #UFC288
— Brett Graham (@BKG_92) May 7, 2023
Beating an injured Burns isn't going to convince Belal's skeptics. Maybe that's fair, but it's also pretty clear Belal is massively improved from a few years ago.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) May 7, 2023
I love Gilbert but how the fuck are people gonna boo Belal cuz he had an unwilling participant after the second round? Dude literally has the worst luck in the UFC. Swear if he rushed Gilbert and finished him people would then say that’s fucked up and is a fluke. #UFC288
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) May 7, 2023
‘Remember The Name’ after this victory will surely rank up in the division. Meanwhile, ‘Durinho’ will get back to the drawing board. Despite the loss, the Brazilian fighter displayed the heart of a warrior, as he continued even after the injury.
What are your thoughts on Burns’ performance? What do you guys think about Muhammad’s victory?
