Gilbert “Durinho” Burns has conceded that, despite their rivalry and exchanges of trash talk, he remains a fan of Nate Diaz.
Speaking with MMAJunkie, Burns revealed his admiration for Nate Diaz. “I like him. He’s freaking funny. He’s pretty entertaining. I’m not gonna say, ‘oh I don’t like him,’ no I like him, I watch him.
Gilbert Burns is a fan of “freaking funny” Nate Diaz
Even though I don’t think he can be a champion anymore, but he’s freaking entertaining. I like the guy.
I’m not gonna be the one, ‘oh I’m not gonna watch him,’ no I watch him, bro. He’s really funny that guy, even the way he talks.”
Recently, Diaz took aim at Burns for criticizing Diaz’s most recent opponent, Leon Edwards, when he said Edwards wasn’t hungry enough to defeat Nate Diaz. Diaz took to Twitter to clap back, saying “He would’ve got knocked out like when u faught hooker and usman you got ur hungry Ass slept Amateur”.
Burns continued his praise for Diaz, addressing whether he sees a fight between them taking place:
“He was the one who started talking mad crap about me when I fought Kamaru, posted the Dan Hooker loss and I was just like, ‘man maybe that guy wants to fight me.’
And I just realized that he don’t wanna fight me. It is what it is, I like the guy. I don’t think he’s ever gonna fight me, to be honest, but you know what, I was just having fun yesterday. I like it, I like it.”
Nate Diaz has been far more active on social media than in the Octagon in recent years, but remains one of the UFC’s biggest draws. Nate Diaz is on the downswing of his career, while Burns remains in serious contention for the welterweight title.
Burns recently lost a title bought to Kamaru Usman, and plans on defeating a few more challengers before he faces Usman once again. His unanimous decision victory over Stephen Thompson was merely the first in a title campaign.
Nate Diaz, on the other hand, is unlikely to ever challenge for the welterweight title again. He’s fought only five times in as many years, with three losses to show for his efforts.
What do you think? Would you want to see Gilbert Burns face Nate Diaz? If they fight, can the tough-as-old-boots Nate Diaz edge out a win over a dominant grappler in Burns? Let us know in the comments.
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