Gilbert Burns, Leon Edwards get heated in push for next title shot after UFC 251

It appears to be a two-horse race for the next welterweight title shot after Kamaru Usman registered his second title defense on Saturday against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251.

With Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) already having wiped out many of his contenders, the two names that clear sit at the front of the pack are Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards, both of whom have a case to fight for the gold after “The Nigerian Nightmare” beat Masvidal by unanimous decision in the headlining bout at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Burns (18-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) is confident he will get the next shot for a multitude of reasons. He was originally supposed to challenge Usman as the event before he tested positive for COVID-19 and was pulled, and UFC president Dana White all but confirmed the Brazilian would get his opportunity back.

“Durinho” absolutely agrees that should be the case, and took aim at anyone who suggested otherwise, including ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani, who pitched the idea of a Burns vs. Edwards title eliminator (via Twitter):

Only fair? Come on @arielhelwani I know you don’t like me and I couldn’t care less. But let’s go to facts I just k.o the number 5 and dominate the number 1 (former champ) Leon has good wins but no one in the top 5 So as the REAL BOSS @danawhite said I’m Next! That’s Only Fair

Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), meanwhile, thinks he case speaks for itself. He owns the longest winning streak at 170 pounds behind Usman at eight consecutive fights. He’s already lost to the champion, but that came in a non-title affair in December 2015 when neither man was regarded as a contender.

The rematch was offered to Edwards at UFC 251, but he couldn’t accept due to lockdown restrictions in his native England, and that’s when the promotion shifted gears and went to Burns. Now “Rocky” thinks that offer should be made again (via Twitter):

Usman done what he needed to! Good win. Now somebody please go and throw that BMF title in the bin and whilst your there add Woodley’s name to my streak.
Everybody knows I would of smoked him. Gilbert get in line and you can get yours after me and Kamaru run it back.

The push from both men finally intersected with one another on social media. Edwards caught wind of one of Burns’ tweets, and he responded to him to kick off a back-and-forth interaction where both men tried to tear down the resume of the other (via Twitter):

Shut your mouth boy you’re only where you are at due to good luck and circumstance. You have no place in the top 5 and you know it so sit the fuck down. You knocked out a 46 year old jujitsu guy and a washed Woodley sit the f*ck down

Who you beat journeyman Cowboy? Split decision on Nelson?? RDA is the only real one you beat, but he wasn’t in the top 5. And you just fight once or 2 a year! Sit down the boss already said I’m next!

Remember boy you got the Woodley fight because I couldnt. You got the title shot because I couldnt. You are always steps behind me and you are levels below me.