MIAMI – Gilbert Burns doesn’t think his Jorge Masvidal is getting the credit he deserves ahead of UFC 287.
Burns (21-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) think fellow former welterweight title challenger Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC) is being underestimated by the fan base, as they gear up to fight on Saturday in the co-main event at Kaseya Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Masvidal might be 38 and coming off three consecutive losses, but Burns has a different outlook on his recent form.
“One hundred percent (he’s being underestimated),” Burns told MMA Junkie at the UFC 287 media day on Wednesday. “That guy is game. Like I said, 51 fights, plus maybe 20 more on the street? That’s 71 fights, that’s a lot. He’s also training with high level guys in ATT. I know his teammates. Those guys are good. Matt Brown, the guy who does he’s camp, he’s a great guy. I think he’s a game opponent. OK, he lost to Kamaru (Usman), but Kamaru is a pound-for-pound best. I lost to Kamaru ,too. He lost to Colby (Covington), yeah, but he’s a great opponent. So he lost to these guys and people are counting him out? I’m not.
“This guy is very tough, very durable. He’s a dog. … That guy is going to show up. I know people say, ‘Oh, that guy is older. He’s coming off three losses.’ I see the completely opposite. I see his back against the wall, he’s fighting at home, if he wins there’s a title shot, maybe. That guy is coming in hungry. I’m expecting that.”
Burns has been wanting to fight Masvidal for a while. Not only is he a big fight in the division, but Masvidal also stopped one of Burns’ good friends.
“I wanted to fight Jorge for a long time,” Burns said. “I was in Cezar Ferreira’s corner, and I was in Orlando when Masvidal knocked him out. I was in Cesar’s corner. He still one of my best friends and Jorge knocked him out, and I said, ‘Man, I got to get this one back one day for Cezar.’”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.
Gilbert Burns knows Jorge Masvidal having ‘back against the wall’ brings danger to UFC 287 fight