Gilbert Burns appreciates the respect, but still wants UFC title badly

MIAMI – Profitable the UFC title remains to be Gilbert Burns’ final aim.

Burns (22-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) takes on Jack Della Maddalena (16-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 299 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) principal card at Kaseya Heart in Miami.

Burns fell brief in his title alternative towards then-welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in February 2021. His willingness to tackle anybody, from undefeated Khamzat Chimaev to now-rising contender Della Maddalena, has made Burns a fan favourite – however he needs extra.

“I have already got the respect that I would like, however I nonetheless need that title very, very dangerous,” Burns instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a pre-fight information convention Wednesday. “The ‘BMF’ title can be good, too.”

In an effort to get again to the title image, Burns should cease the streak of Della Maddalena, who’s unbeaten within the octagon. Burns charges his abilities extremely, however will intention to complete him.

“I feel he’s excellent,” Burns stated. “I feel he had somewhat drawback with Bassil Hafez – however that was brief discover, he modified the opponent, modified the date, small cage. However I feel he’s general tremendous good. He’s very powerful – good boxing, good combos, comes for the end.

“The way in which he went for guillotines in that combat, I feel he’s assured in his grappling. He can grapple. For certain, he’s acquired takedown protection, coaching with Craig Jones and (Alexander) Volkanovski, so I see a really powerful problem. I do imagine I’m going to have the ability to get a end, to place him in very dangerous positions, damage him. However he’s a really powerful dude, and I respect that.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 299.