Dana White Says It’s Highly Likely That Gilbert Burns Gets Next Welterweight Title Shot

Gilbert Burns competed last weekend in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns, defeating former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision.

It would appear that the victory was a massive one for Burns, as UFC President Dana White says it is highly likely that Burns will get the next shot at UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.

“You got Colby Covington, you got Jorge Masvidal, you got Leon Edwards and now obviously you’ve got Gilbert Burns,” White said on Steve-O’s Wild Ride podcast (via Nolan King of MMA Junkie). “The reality is, we’re going to reach out tomorrow and say: ‘Who wants the next fight? Who wants this fight? Who is ready to go? Who wants to fight Usman?’ If it’s Masvidal, Edwards or Burns. Burns told me that night, ‘Let’s turn this (expletive) right round, I’ll fight Usman now. I’m ready.’ I love that kind of (expletive). When you’re that guy, it’s highly likely you’re getting that (expletive) fight.”

Burns did move up to number one in the UFC Welterweight Division rankings after defeating Woodley, making him the logical next challenger for Usman. 

If the title bout does come together, it would be the first time Usman defended the gold since defeating former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Colby Covington at UFC 245.