Gilbert Burns: Win Over Stephen Thompson ‘Puts Me Right Back in the Title Picture’

It isn’t easy to look good against Stephen Thompson.

While Gilbert Burns didn’t necessarily win any new fans with his performance against “Wonderboy” at UFC 264, he was able to do exactly what it took to earn a victory and remain relevant in the welterweight division.

“I’m very confident right now because I was able to beat a guy that a lot of guys lost to,” Burns said. “A lot of guys don’t want to fight him. Colby [Covington] doesn’t want to fight him, Leon Edwards doesn’t want to fight him. They offered it and I said let’s go. I was able to get a win. That puts me right back in the title picture. I have a little bit more work to do, but I’m right there.”

By grounding Thompson in every round, “Durinho” landed the most takedowns against the South Carolina-based karateka since Matt Brown secured five takedowns at UFC 145 in 2012. Burns put a lasting stamp on the victory when he maintained top position for the second half of Round 3 and ended the fight with a salvo of ground-and-pound.

“I was super ready for this fight. As soon as I was able to get a hold of him, I was able to take him down and control him,” Burns said. “I felt great.”

It was a much-needed bounce back performance for Burns, who was coming off a third-round TKO loss to Kamaru Usman in a title bout at UFC 258 this past February.

“That was a special moment, coming back from a loss and beating a guy that a lot of guys couldn’t beat. I had a game plan and I was able to execute. It felt good,” Burns said.

“If I control my emotions and keep working hard, I believe I am the best guy. When I execute my game plan, am disciplined and relaxed, I do believe I’m the best welterweight in the world.”

Burns has been victorious in five of his six Octagon appearances since moving up to welterweight, with notable triumphs over the likes of Thompson, Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia. That means he isn’t too far removed from the welterweight title picture, even if there are a few athletes currently ahead of him in the pecking order. Burns sees plenty of other attractive options for fights at 170 pounds while he waits for another opportunity at championship gold.

Colby is the guy right now and I respect that, but I’m next and I’ll fight anyone that is in a position for the title shot,” Burns said. “Leon Edwards, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal—they all can get it. I’m not afraid of anyone. I want to fight every single one of these guys.”