Gilbert Burns is not afraid to go to the ground with Demian Maia.
Burns (17-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) faces Maia (28-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) this Saturday in the UFC on ESPN+ 28 co-main event in Brasilia, taking on one of the sport’s best grapplers.
But three-time World Jiu-Jitsu Championship winner Burns boasts his own grappling credentials and won’t be trying to disengage should the fight hit the mats.
“If we get in the grappling in that fight, guess what, I’m going to be hunting,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “I believe I’m capable to pull a submission against Demian Maia.”
But in a battle between two accomplished grapplers, could they neutralize their strengths and end up slugging it out like standout wrestlers Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington did at this past December’s UFC 245? Burns says he highly doubts it.
“I don’t believe so because I’m fighting Demian Maia, so he’s going to shoot here and there,” Burns said. “Especially if I put him in uncomfortable situations, he’s going to shoot. He’s not going to stand and bang like Colby and Kamaru; he’s Demain Maia. I believe we’re going to strike, but I believe we’re 100 percent going to grapple. I can’t wait for that. I can’t wait to test my abilities against one of the legends in my opinion, future hall of fame.”
Burns is enjoying the best stretch of his UFC career, having won his last four in a row, and two straight since moving up to 170 pounds. A win over former UFC welterweight title challenger Maia could put him in a great position in the rankings, but a finish could separate him, considering that Maia has only been stopped once in his career, over 10 years ago.
“Be honest right now, I’m looking for a finish,” Burns said. “OK, I know that might not happen, the guy is super experienced, he’s got great jiu-jitsu, but we’re going to grapple, and guess what, I’m super hungry right now. I believe I have the power to finish with my hands and with my submissions, too, so I believe that can happen, and if that happens, it’ll be huge for me.
“I’m not going to hurry for that because Demian Maia fought Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Kamaru Usman, Jake Shields and the list goes on, so the guy has so much experience but I believe in my abilities to finish the fight.”
UFC on ESPN+ 28 takes place Saturday at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia. While fans will not be allowed to attend due to the coronavirus outbreak, the night’s entire card will stream on ESPN+.
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