UFC: Gilbert Burns thinks Leon Edwards missed shot to fight for welterweight title – ‘real fans want violence’
- ‘He’s a very smart fighter but he’s not a finisher,’ Burns says after Edwards’ decision win over Nate Diaz at UFC 263
- ‘Durinho’ feels a finish or dominant display against Stephen Thompson puts him back into No 1 contender spot
Gilbert Burns is expecting a return to No 1 contender status if he takes out Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 264.
The 34-year-old Brazilian (19-4) steps back into the Octagon inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 10 against American karate specialist Stephen Thompson (16-4-1).
The welterweight showdown will serve as the co-main event to Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier’s high-profile trilogy bout, and Burns knows an eye-catching finish with the world watching could land him another title shot.
“‘Wonderboy’ is a very dangerous opponent,” Burns told SCMP MMA. “I do believe nowadays it all depends on how you perform. Leon Edwards lost the shot just because he didn’t get a finish [against Nate Diaz].
“Not even criticising the guy. He fought very good. He’s a very smart fighter. But he’s not a finisher. If you go in there and just bite the mouthpiece and go forward and finish the fight, sometimes you’re going to get the shot.
“But if you’re just a point fighter, winning the fight … Yeah, that’s good for you. You’re making more money, you’re changing contracts, you’re getting better, getting famous. But the real fans, the real guys in that picture, that crazy guy with the ‘Just Bleed’ [body paint], they want to see violence.
“They want to see a finish. They go crazy when someone does a crazy knockout. I just think he [Edwards] lost the shot because of that performance.
“I do believe a finish against him [Thompson] or a dominant performance would put me right into the number one spot again,” Burns added. “I’m number two right now.
“Colby [Covington] didn’t do anything to be the number one. I lost it and became the number two and he didn’t win. I would need a fight with Leon or one more to get the title shot again.”
Preparing for “Wonderboy” is not an easy task. But Burns enlisted the help of Raymond Daniels during his camp at Sanford MMA in Florida to try to emulate Thompson’s unique movement.
“That guy [Daniels] is freaking dangerous,” said “Durinho”. “We already had a game plan. I cornered Vicente Luque against ‘Wonderboy’ so I’m very familiar with that style. We trained with a couple of guys that do that.
“But I was very surprised with the things he’s been sharing with me. I was able to pick up a lot of things. I was very, very impressed with Raymond Daniels’ game and ability and all the knowledge he has on striking. I was blown [away] with him.”
