Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Gilbert Burns
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More Fantasy News
Targeted as replacement for Alves
Burns will step in to fight Gunnar Nelson for the UFC Copenhagen co-main event after Thiago Alves had to withdraw to due illness, Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Thiago Alves had to withdraw from the event due to health issues coming from a kidney stone infection. Burns (16-3) primarily competed at the 155-pound level but this will be his second fight in less than two months at the welterweight level as he recently defeated Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision at UFC Uruguay in early August. Burns has won three straight fights and five of his last six and will face Gunnar Nelson at UFC Copenhagen on September 28 at Royal Arena. Nelson (17-4-1) is coming off a split decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC London back in March.
Thiago Alves had to withdraw from the event due to health issues coming from a kidney stone infection. Burns (16-3) primarily competed at the 155-pound level but this will be his second fight in less than two months at the welterweight level as he recently defeated Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision at UFC Uruguay in early August. Burns has won three straight fights and five of his last six and will face Gunnar Nelson at UFC Copenhagen on September 28 at Royal Arena. Nelson (17-4-1) is coming off a split decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC London back in March.
Continues to show development
Burns defeated Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night in Montevideo, Uruguay on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Burns took this fight on relatively short notice so that might explain the fact that he clearly ran out of gas in the third round. The former grappling competitor showed off improved striking in the first two rounds. He also sealed those rounds with takedowns. However, in the third round, he was clearly spent. Kunchenko outlanded him 24 to 8 in the final frame, but at that point the decision was already set. Burns has always been learning on the job, and his improvements are obvious.
Burns took this fight on relatively short notice so that might explain the fact that he clearly ran out of gas in the third round. The former grappling competitor showed off improved striking in the first two rounds. He also sealed those rounds with takedowns. However, in the third round, he was clearly spent. Kunchenko outlanded him 24 to 8 in the final frame, but at that point the decision was already set. Burns has always been learning on the job, and his improvements are obvious.
Making welterweight debut in Uruguay
Burns (15-3-0) is scheduled to face Aleksei Kunchenko (20-0-0) in a welterweight fight at UFC Uruguay on Aug. 10, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burns was added to the card as a short-notice replacement for Laureano Staropoli (9-1-0), who withdrew from his fight with Kunchenko a day earlier due to a broken nose. In addition to having limited time to prep for the bout, Burns will have the disadvantage of making the jump from the lightweight division to the 170-pound ranks. Burns will at least re-enter the Octagon with some momentum after emerging victorious in four of his past five fights.
Burns was added to the card as a short-notice replacement for Laureano Staropoli (9-1-0), who withdrew from his fight with Kunchenko a day earlier due to a broken nose. In addition to having limited time to prep for the bout, Burns will have the disadvantage of making the jump from the lightweight division to the 170-pound ranks. Burns will at least re-enter the Octagon with some momentum after emerging victorious in four of his past five fights.
Moving up to 170
Burns disclosed via his personal Twitter account that he intends to move up from lightweight to welterweight for his next fight.
ANALYSIS
On the heels of a two-fight winning streak, Burns will look to put himself to the test and see if he fares better in a higher weight class. Standing at 5-10 with a 71-inch reach, his frame doesn't necessarily give him much of an advantage, though the 33-year-old will no longer have to deal with the difficult weight cuts to get to 155 pounds. Both divisions have a long line of title contenders, making it unlikely that was the motivation for this switch. Burns has yet to schedule his first official opponent at 170 pounds.
On the heels of a two-fight winning streak, Burns will look to put himself to the test and see if he fares better in a higher weight class. Standing at 5-10 with a 71-inch reach, his frame doesn't necessarily give him much of an advantage, though the 33-year-old will no longer have to deal with the difficult weight cuts to get to 155 pounds. Both divisions have a long line of title contenders, making it unlikely that was the motivation for this switch. Burns has yet to schedule his first official opponent at 170 pounds.
Adds to finish total in Fort Lauderdale
Burns defeated Mike Davis via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:15 of Round 2 at UFC Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Burns has been with the promotion just under five years, and has already racked up six finishes. He entered as a big betting favorite (-245) against an opponent that took the fight on short notice, and the Brazilian did exactly what he expected himself to do. His efforts will also result in a strong night for fantasy owners, as Burns was credited with 49 significant strikes, three takedowns and four advances, in addition to the finish bonus. He deserves a stiffer test in his next trip to the cage.
Burns has been with the promotion just under five years, and has already racked up six finishes. He entered as a big betting favorite (-245) against an opponent that took the fight on short notice, and the Brazilian did exactly what he expected himself to do. His efforts will also result in a strong night for fantasy owners, as Burns was credited with 49 significant strikes, three takedowns and four advances, in addition to the finish bonus. He deserves a stiffer test in his next trip to the cage.