Gilbert Burns Details How Belal Muhammad Fight Came Together for UFC 288

Three fights in five months.

Gilbert Burns is just a few weeks away from making history as one of the most active fighters in UFC history for that short timeframe. After submitting Neil Magny in the first round at UFC 283 on Jan. 21 and outpointing Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287 on April 8, Burns is scheduled to face Belal Muhammad in the UFC 288 co-main event on May 6.

“Thank God I had three days in Tulum with my wife right after UFC 287, otherwise she would kill me,” Burns quipped in an interview with Brazilian outlet Mais MMA.

While the vacation was welcome, Burns revealed that he didn’t spend too much time basking in the glow of his recent win over Masvidal.

"Sunday I came back home; Monday I took the kids to Disneyland; Tuesday we went to Tulum; Saturday we returned, rested Sunday and returned to the gym Monday.”

While Burns was ready to get back to work, the Kill Cliff FC product claims the UFC had a hard time convincing Muhammad to accept the bout.

"When I offered myself to cover Charles Oliveira´s withdrawal, I first suggested Colby [Covington] as my opponent, but the UFC said he wasn't available. I knew Belal is also coming from a good winning streak, so I suggested his name next,” Burns said. “First, he said he wouldn’t be able to make weight, then he asked for more money. On Monday morning the fight was on, then Monday night it was off. On Tuesday, Hunter [Campbell] called me and confirmed it. Belal also wanted five rounds.”

Burns is drawing motivation from the fact that Muhammad owns a recent victory against his best friend, Vicente Luque. Muhammad defeated Luque via unanimous decision in the UFC on ESPN 34 headliner in April 2022.

"Belal was on his best day and Luque was having a bad day, and it was almost a split decision,” Burns said. “I believe on a normal day Luque would beat him.”

Burns revealed that the winner of his matchup with Muhammad has been guaranteed to be the welterweight division’s next No. 1 contender. It’s just a matter of when that title shot will occur, as Leon Edwards is expected to make his next defense against Covington.

"I just don’t know if the winner will face Edwards before or after Colby,” Burns said. “But I made sure that along with facing the winner I want to be the reserve fighter [for Edwards vs. Covington], if I beat Belal."