The controversy around the Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal matchup just got thicker. Burns, after months of back and forth regarding the fight, is ready to move on, and claims that either the UFC or Masvidal is lying about the likelihood of that fight ever occurring. Burns discussed the fight – or lack thereof – backstage at UFC 282.
“I was [surprised] because he said my name multiple times on a couple occasions in different interviews. He said he was going to do one more fight this year, and I was like, OK, it’s happening.
Gilbert Burns: Someone Is Lying About Masvidal Matchup
But then, s***, it took so long. The way I see it, he was kind of keeping me going. … ‘Oh, later, oh, next fight, next pay-per-view,’ and I was waiting for the fight. I guess it’s a very hard fight for him. He’s coming from three losses to fight me. It’s a good reward if he beats me – if – it’s going to be a good reward, but it’s a big risk, I think.”
Burns has been waiting for months to fight Masvidal, who claimed that he was ready to take the fight. Now he’s not so sure.
“He was lying, for sure, or Hunter and the UFC were lying. I don’t believe they were. But they offered me Jorge. ‘You want to fight Jorge?’ That was the question. ‘You want to fight Jorge at MSG?’ You know what I’m saying. I said, ‘For sure.’ And then after that, they said, ‘He’s not ready. We can make it Dec. 10.’ I said yes.
And after that, Jorge told us, ‘He’s going to fight you in Brazil.’ And I said, ‘No, he didn’t say that.’ [They said], ‘No, he said that.’ I said, ‘Well s***.’ Then after a little bit, the fight’s off the table, we’re going to fight another guy in Brazil. A couple of guys declined, and Neil Magny it is.”
Regardless, Burns will continue chasing another elite matchup at welterweight in an attempt to return to winning ways.
“For sure, I’m not going to be chasing Jorge, but I’m going to chase another fight real quick. Not passing over Neil Magny – I cannot make that mistake again. I’ve got to destroy this guy in Rio, and looking for another guy. That’s the goal – to get three finishes, three wins, and earn another title shot.”
What do you think is the real story behind the failed Burns vs Masvidal fight? Let us know in the comments.
