Gilbert Burns must execute against Sean Brady
Taking on once-beaten Sean Brady this weekend, Gilbert Burns is vying for that title shot that he had once before. From divisional newcomer who practically had to beg for a fight, Burns has grown up right before our eyes. Unfortunately, he’s on a two fight losing streak. But not all is lost. With a win, there’s precedence for a title eliminator bout.
Gilbert Burns: The toolkit
Gilbert Burns has not gotten favorite treatment like other welterweight contenders (Colby Covington). But that could be because of his accomplishments. 22-7 in his career of MMA. But it’s his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that is intimidating for Burns’ matchups.
Gilbert Burns won bronze at ADCC in 2015, the premier jiu jitsu tournament. In IBJJF, he’s notched a gold in gi (2011), and no-gi (2013). Throughout his MMA career, Burns has finished nine of his 22 wins via submission. Arm triangles, rear naked chokes, and arm bars are all ways that Burns has won in the UFC. But what’s scared more people than not is his striking has become lethal.
Six knockouts are under his belt. He offed Demian Maia, Dan Moret, and others via finish. He hurt Kamaru Usman in the two’s title fight back in 2021, nearly finishing the incumbent champion. Wherever he goes, Burns is lethal.
He took on Khamzat Chimaev in 2022, when Chimaev was at his most intimidating. While the fight was a difficult one, and Burns was decided the loser of the fight, Burns had Chimaev gasping for air and was putting on a great fight.
The task at hand
Now Gilbert Burns is taking on eighth ranked Sean Brady. After losing his shot to get in, Brady is hoping for a second shot at the division’s elite. Brady was handed the task of ending Belal Muhammad’s hopes of a title in 2022. He was promptly overwhelmed and knocked out by the future champion.
Brady’s got a slick submission game as well. With his heavy wrestling approach, Brady has cinched up five submission victories in his 16 professional wins. His last was his most impressive. He submitted Kelvin Gastelum with a kimura in round three. But there are more interesting facets to his game: he’s defeated Craig Jones in a submission grappling match.
With Burns’ ADCC and IBJJF accolades, he’s sure to welcome the ground approach of Sean Brady. But the path won’t be easy. Grown up before our eyes, Gilbert Burns is now 38 years old, no spring chicken. He has 7 years on the younger Brady. Time is ticking for Gilbert Burns and he cannot afford to lose this weekend.
The new reign and the old history
Shocking many, Belal Muhammad dominated Leon Edwards to capture the welterweight title. Muhammad and “Durinho” have a history that goes back to 2023. In that fight, Burns was somewhat holding his own when he suffered a huge injury to his left shoulder. He partially tore his AC joint, deltoid, and trap muscle and also sprained his C4 and C5 vertebrae. He fought valiantly in that fight, though a one sided loss
Gilbert Burns would assuredly like that one back, especially given now that Muhammad is the champion of the division. Burns wasn’t given a good hand in that fight and could have had the opportunity to fight Edwards for the title if he won. Instead he got surging contender Jack Della Maddalena after nearly a year off. He was putting on yet another good performance until he was finished in round three.
Gilbert Burns cannot afford a third straight loss. While he’s been good to the company, at 38 years of age, losing to a fighter like Sean Brady will set him back three years. That puts him north of 40, something only Glover Teixeira has been the most successful with. Burns has the old man knowledge now. He must use it.
