Colby Covington is a polarizing figure in the world of UFC. Since he turned heel, the American welterweight has gone berserk, even including taboo topics in trash talks. Covington and Gilbert Burns have remained at the top of the welterweight rankings for quite some time. However, they have not fought each other, and Burns has no intention of chasing Covington for a fight.
Burns and Covington have lost their previous fights. As such, it makes sense for the top-ranked welterweights to fight each other. Burns has called out Covington in the past, but he has no intention of chasing Covington due to recent incidents. The former one-time welterweight title challenger revealed why it is so to MMAJunkie Radio.
I think it’s going to be a lot of drama to get the fight done, you know, to get this guy [Colby Covington] to literally sign the fight. The other drama, I kind of like when he talks cr*zy. I have fun. I know he’s not real; I know he’s just a character. He’s going cr*zy, making all the headlines. But no, I think it will be a drama to get this guy to sign the contract.
Gilbert Burns via MMAJunkie Radio
Covington and Ian Garry were rumored to fight in the co-main event of UFC 303, headlined by Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. However, the fight didn’t materialize. Garry clamored for the fight, but Covington stated that he had never received a contract from the UFC. Nonetheless, the overwhelming sentiment is that Covington has declined the fight.
Garry and Covington engaged in a social media feud before the fight, creating good attention for the rivalry. However, the fight didn’t happen, which Burns thinks is due to Covington. With Covington out of the way, Burns has other names in mind for his next fight.
Gilbert Burns speaks on his potential next opponents
Gilbert Burns came close to becoming the undisputed welterweight champion when he faced training partner Kamaru Usman at UFC 258. However, after hurting Usman in the first round, he had an adrenaline dip and lost the fight via TKO.
Gilbert Burns (Image via: IMAGO)Nonetheless, he is one of the big names in the division. Moreover, he gave Khamzat Chimaev his toughest fight at welterweight. However, he has lost his previous fights against Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. As such, he targets fights below him in the welterweight rankings next.
The way I see it [for my next fight], I like [Joaquin] Buckley, I like Geoff Neal, and I like Sean Brady a lot. I’ll go with rank-wise, you know, who is the highest-ranked opponent—that’s the one that I would pick.
Gilbert Burns via MMAJunkie Radio
Gilbert Burns says he’ll be ready to fight in August, and lists some potential opponents:
“I just talked to the UFC yesterday and I said I’ll be ready to go by middle to end of August…
I have a couple guys that have been asking to fight me, [Joaquin] Buckley… Sean Brady,… pic.twitter.com/gTL9vlu9a5
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 17, 2024
Burns also revealed he would face whoever the UFC gave him, but Brady, Neal, and Buckley were his preferred targets. Buckley recently won at UFC St. Louis and called out Burns, which he had accepted. The UFC will likely make the fight happen.
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