UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns grapples with the complex issue of facing teammates, as friendships clash with his championship ambitions. While he's willing to fight certain training partners under specific conditions, it presents a challenge to the matchmaking process, narrowing his list of potential opponents. Discover how Burns navigates this intricate path in the MMA world.
In the world of MMA, it's not just about individual prowess inside the cage; it's also about team dynamics outside of it. UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns finds himself at the crossroads of friendship and ambition as he navigates the complexities of being teammates with rising stars.
Top fighters often train under the same roof, forming close-knit bonds despite the potential for facing each other in the Octagon. Gilbert Burns, known as "Durinho," has been in the spotlight regarding his relationships with fellow fighters, notably Vicente Luque, a fellow welterweight contender. Their friendship is so strong that they've turned down fight offers from the UFC, insisting that only "Mayweather money" would tempt them to compete against each other. However, Burns has challenged a training partner before, notably his former teammate Kamaru Usman, another Kill Cliff FC standout.
As Burns grapples with the concept of fighting friends, a new challenge arises. Two undefeated prospects, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry, both training partners of Burns, are making waves in the welterweight division. Burns has already expressed his unwillingness to fight Luque but remains open to the idea of facing Rakhmonov and Machado Garry, but with conditions.
In a recent interview, Burns clarified his stance: "Vicente I will not fight. Just if I have no option. If it's for a title or number one contender, I'd fight Machado Garry or Rakhmonov, even though those two are gonna be very hard. But Vicente is the only guy I would say I won't fight."
Burns emphasizes that fights against his teammates must make sense, potentially for a title shot or number one contender status. This stance presents a challenge to matchmakers, especially since Burns currently sits outside the title picture following a loss to Belal Muhammad.
As Burns carefully treads this complex path of loyalty to teammates and his own championship aspirations, it narrows his pool of potential opponents. With fights against Luque, Machado Garry, and Rakhmonov ruled out for various reasons, the welterweight division's matchmaking becomes even more intriguing.
Read Harvey Leonard's full article about Gilbert Burns and his team dynamics.