Gilbert Burns gives his reaction to the UFC’s announcement of Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev.
Gilbert Burns likes Islam Makhachev vacating title for welterweight shot
UFC Fight Night 256 headliner Gilbert Burns spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his welterweight bout vs. Michael Morales on Saturday in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS – Gilbert Burns is a fan of Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight.
After months of speculation, UFC CEO Dana White made Makhachev’s move from 155 to 170 pounds official, confirming that Makhachev vacated his lightweight title to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for his UFC welterweight belt later this year. The date and location have yet to be assigned for the fight. Burns (22-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC), who fought for the UFC welterweight title and has transitioned from lightweight to welterweight, thinks it’s a good move for the Dagestani fighter.
“That’s going to be a great fight,” Burns said at the UFC Fight Night 256 media day on Wednesday. “Islam is working very hard. He’s saying that he wants to go up to 170. I think he’s big. I think he’s a big boy. I think he kills himself to make 155, and I think that’s the right division for Islam. I think he just tweeted something after the fight that he’s not vacating the title, and then he vacated the title. … I like him moving up. He’s proved himself. He’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter right now.”
Burns returns to the octagon this Saturday against unbeaten, rising contender Michael Morales (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The five-round bout headlines UFC Fight Night 256 (ESPN+), which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Many might favor Makhachev, given his record and pound-for-pound standing. Yet, Burns, who already fought Della Maddalena, thinks Makhachev has a tough task at hand.
“Jack and Islam is closer than people think, especially with Jack Della Maddalena training with Volk and Craig Jones and those guys that kind of cracked Islam in that first fight,” Burns said. “I think they’re going to have a lot of info, a lot of study, a lot of answers. It’s closer than people think, I really like this fight.”
