Former welterweight title challenger Gilbert
Burns wants to take a little more time to recover from a
vicious knockout suffered in March.
Following a Round 3 knockout loss to Jack
Della Maddalena at UFC
299 in March, “Durinho” is taking things easy before getting
back to full training and eventually entering the Octagon. The
Brazilian’s loss to the surging Australian was preceded by a
unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Belal
Muhammad in May last year.
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At the moment, the top-10 welterweight is expecting to get back in
action sometime in or after August, and is hoping to claw his way
back to the top following a short break after competing in four
fights over 15 months. In an interview with The
Schmo on Thursday, Burns spoke of his upcoming plans.
“Next for me, I’m taking a little time off,” Burns explained. “That
was a war against Jack
Della Maddalena, the guy did great. Ended up getting that
knockout at the end of the fight. All kudos to him, the guy is a
monster… For me, I’m looking forward to come back in August.”
“Durinho” also went on to list multiple callouts from elite
competitors in the division, including Sean Brady,
Geoff
Neal, and most recently, Joaquin
Buckley after “New Mansa” emerged victorious against Burns’
close friend and teammate Vicente
Luque at
UFC on ESPN 54 in March. Burns is ready for all comers, but he
knows he is not in a position to name names while on a skid.
“We’ll see who, I’ve got a couple [of] callouts I love,” Burns said
with a smile. “Buckley called me out, Sean Brady
sent me a DM calling me out. I saw Geoff
Neal…They’re all super respectful. Buckley talking a little
bit but I don’t care, it’s his style, I respect that…Looking
forward to in August, most likely August, that’s a good date for
me. We’ll see whoever, I’m not pick and choose, I’m in a position
that I lost two back-to-back so, I’m relaxed, getting better and
whoever they say the name on the contract I’m going to sign but
August I’m looking forward to come back.”