UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs Burns was all sorts of spectacle. With a win over former champion Tyron Woodley, GIlbert Burns earned the respect of the MMA fans around the world. Burns picked up a unanimous decision victory and showed all signs of a potential champion as he dominated Woodley throughout the five rounds of the fight. Burns was quick with his hands, and solid with his ground work, managing to successfully attempt two take-downs against someone who is credited for his impeccable take-down defense. Woodley showed no signs of comeback, after Burns tagged him early in the first round, which rendered a deep cut on his left eye. While one would have hoped for a more aggressive Woodley going into the fight, the former champion largely remained on his backfoot, with Burns dictating the pace of the game. With this win, Gilbert Burns has put his name forward for title contention.
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“I have a lot of respect for you. But I am next.” Burns said, referring to Kamaru Usman, in his post match interview. Apparently, both Burns and Usman are training partners at the gym, and will likely face each other for the championship belt if everything goes as planned for Burns.
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5️⃣0️⃣-4️⃣4️⃣🇧🇷 @GilbertDurinho with the biggest win of his career at #UFCVegas! pic.twitter.com/qbgAelUUCj
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 31, 2020
UFC Pros reacts to Woodley vs Burns
While many fighters had predicted Tyron Woodley to get his hand raised, it was Gilbert Burns who defied all odds, and came out victorious at the night of the action.
What a great performance by my man @GilbertDurinho #UFCVegas
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 31, 2020
Damn. Congratulations @GilbertDurinho
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) May 31, 2020
Incredible night of action. Congrats to all fighters. They delivered!
— michael (@bisping) May 31, 2020
What a performance by @GilbertDurinho
— Ryan Hall (@ryanhall5050) May 31, 2020
So impressed with @GilbertDurinho Congrats on your amazing win. So happy for you my friend #UFCApex
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) May 31, 2020
I'm really happy for @GilbertDurinho. He literally made this fight happen. I might need to take the same approach to @SPonzinibbioMMA and @MikeMav22. I've said yes to any fight the @ufc has offered me. I just need my moment!
— Geoff (handzofsteel) Neal (@handzofsteelmma) May 31, 2020
I think all my questions about this main event were answered tonight. Burns is legit, but his last two performances were championship caliber! #UFCVegas
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 31, 2020
Also big ups to the coaching staff. @henrihooft @CoachGJones and #KamiBarzini. That was a very polished fighter we just saw get his hand raised. #UFCVegas
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 31, 2020
That was a masterful performance, congrats @GilbertDurinho 😤😤😤 #UFCVegas
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 31, 2020
29 strikes… over 5?
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) May 31, 2020
Title shot next for @GilbertDurinho #UFCVegas
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) May 31, 2020
Damn I picked burns. But what is next for t-wood now? @ufc #UFCVegas
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) May 31, 2020
That was @GilbertDurinho ladies and gentlemen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻you earned it brother 👊🏻👊🏻🔪🔪🔪
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) May 31, 2020
@GilbertDurinho came to win tonight bell to bell!
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) May 31, 2020
Burns is the #1 contender #UFCVegas #UFCApex
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) May 31, 2020
Gilbert Burns is one of my teammates , I thought this was going to be a dog fight . What a huge performance . We have some monsters on the team ! 🔥 #UFCApex
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 31, 2020
Great job by @GilbertDurinho
Muito bom irmão @GilbertDurinho
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) May 31, 2020
That was a super impressive fight by Gilbert
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) May 31, 2020
WOW @GilbertDurinho what a performance! https://t.co/FM0MOkJGvG
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) May 31, 2020
Great job brother!! @GilbertDurinho
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) May 31, 2020
@GilbertDurinho is an animal 🔥🔥
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) May 31, 2020
What’s next for Gilbert Burns?
The outcome of Woodley vs Burns adjusts another fighter worthy of a title shot. With Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal, and Gilbert Burns aiming to get the title opportunity, Covington has also expressed interest in a rematch. It remains to be seen where welterweight division will go from here, and who will fight Usman next.