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.
