Nick Diaz’s imminent UFC return and incredible shape following a diet and training regimen have caught the attention of the MMA world. Given the details regarding the fighter’s practice weight cut, it seems likely that he will resume his career at welterweight. Hence, the top divisional contenders have been vocal about the development with Gilbert Burns warning the 37-year-old.
The Brazilian fighter who sits atop the rankings tweeted, “Don’t come out of retirement on my division or I’m gonna kill the whole family”
Don’t come out of retirement on my division or I’m gonna kill the whole family 😤😤😤#HungriestGuyinTheDivision
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) September 7, 2020
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He bookended the tweet by branding himself the hungriest fighter in the division. This holds as he has fought four times in the last 12 months and readied himself for a championship fight at just over a month’s notice.
‘Durinho’ has a beef with Nate Diaz who put forth a scathing comment following his UFC 251 withdrawal. He claimed that he could “maul” him by ‘out grappling, outboxing, and slapping him.’
Read: “I Would Maul You!”- Gilbert Burns Fires Back At Nate Diaz Trash Talk
Gilbert Burns also took time to troll #3 ranked Leon Edwards for his lengthy hiatus from the octagon. He opined that Nick Diaz would make his grand comeback before Leon Edwards takes part in his twenty-second MMA fight.
The fighter tweeted, “I can see Nick will fight before Leon.”
I can see Nick will fight before Leon 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) September 7, 2020
‘Durinho’ has moved from lightweight, won four in a row, and beaten a former champion since Edwards’ last fight. Given his run, he is set to fight contenders in the top-five for the being.
Could Gilbert Burns actually fight Nick Diaz?
Nick Diaz hasn’t entered a UFC cage in over five years. By the time he returns, it will have been six years since his last fight. He fought for the title against big names like Georges St-Pierre, but the landscape of the division has transformed in his absence. Hence, the Nick Diaz vs Gilbert Burns fight seems farfetched.
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The Stockton fighter will have to fight his way to the top in a hungry division to have a chance at earning a shot against ‘Durinho’
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However, Burns’ comment could highlight his confidence at wresting the belt from Kamaru Usman, defending it against all comers, and cleaning out the division. This is the only way he could fight against the Diaz brothers anytime soon.
What do you make of Gilbert Burns’ warning to the Diaz brothers and his claim that Nick Diaz will fight before Leon Edwards?
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