Gilbert Burns has mapped out his path to another title shot, and it starts with UFC 283.
Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) takes on Neil Magny (27-9 MMA, 20-8 UFC) on Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC and ESPN+.
Burns was hoping to fight Jorge Masvidal, but the matchup never materialized. He drew Magny instead and hopes a statement finish can kickstart a title run. After Magny, Burns has two names in mind to help get him there.
“Let me just get back to the win column,” Burns told MMA Junkie Radio. “Get a finish of Neil Magny and we’re gonna talk about it. Yeah, I think it’s about time. It’s about these guys saying yes. It’s about opportunity, and guess what? I’ll be ready.”
He continued, “I think the rematch with Khamzat is gonna happen. I think the fight with Belal Muhammad is gonna happen. Colby is the only one that maybe – I don’t know what Colby is doing. And Masvidal, I’m not really chasing that fight. It was just an opportunity for a big fight, but I’m not chasing it. Yeah, I think those are the next opponents: Belal Muhammad, Khamzat, and then a title shot. That’s what I see.”
In what was one of 2022’s best fights of the year, Burns was outlasted by Khamzat Chimaev in an all-out war at UFC 273. It set the former title challenger back briefly from his goal of another shot at gold, but “Durinho” is willing to put the work in to earn his way back up.
“In 2023 I envision three fights, three finishes, and not asking, not begging, but earning myself another title shot,” Burns said. “That’s what I see. It doesn’t matter who. The way I see it, me going against three guys, spectacular finishes, earning another title shot. A busy year.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.