“I just think Edwards lost the shot because of that performance,” Gilbert Burns reflects on Leon Edwards’s performance at UFC 263

The number 2nd ranked UFC Welterweight fighter and former title contender, Gilbert Burns is booked to face Stephen Thompson at UFC 264. This Welterweight contest will serve as the co-main event for the high-profile trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.

Burns will be stepping into this fight with a loss against Kamaru Usman in his last fight and he knows an eye-catching finish in this fight can provide him the opportunity to fight for the title once again.

In his latest interview with SCMP, Burns says, “‘Wonderboy’ is a very dangerous opponent, 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.”

Gilbert Burns continued, “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.” {H/T SCMP MMA}

Gilbert Burns criticized Colby Covington for getting the title shot

The UFC president Dana White made it clear that Colby Covington is first in line to get the title shot against Kamaru Usman. But Gilbert Burns criticized Covington that he did nothing to earn the title shot.

Burns says, “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.”

Stephen Thompson is one of the most elite strikers in the UFC Welterweight division and preparing against him wasn’t an easy task for Gilbert Burns. Although, he used the help of Raymond Daniels during his camp at Sanford MMA to understand Wonderboy’s technique better.

He added, “That guy [Daniels] is freaking dangerous, 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.” {H/T SCMP MMA}

“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.”

Also Read: “I do believe he is going to be shooting for the legs” – Stephen Thompson reveals how his fight against Gilbert Burns would pan out.