Gilbert Burns believes Leon Edwards will have an edge over Kamaru Usman in trilogy fight due to home advantage
Gilbert Burns recently gave his thoughts on the speculated trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman on the upcoming UFC London card. 'Durinho' claimed that the reigning UFC welterweight champion will benefit from the home advantage.
Edwards laid claim to the welterweight strap after his sensational fifth-round knockout of Usman at UFC 278 in August last year. The Englishman was dominated by Usman for the majority of their contest. However, a perfectly positioned head-kick in the final minute of the fifth round clinched the win for Edwards.
In a recent interview on Michael Bisping's Believe You Me podcast, Gilbert Burns discussed the potential trilogy bout between 'Rocky' and 'The Nigerian Nightmare' that is rumored to take place at UFC 286 in London.
The Brazilian stated that the Nigerian-American would be heading into enemy territory in his attempt to win the belt back. Durinho said:
"Now Kamaru is going into hostile territory. All the way there in London. Leon's house, friends... He can say whatever but it's hostile. You don't wanna go fight me in Brazil... You don't wanna go to fight Francis Ngannou in Cameroon... I think it's gonna be a super close fight, maybe a little more edge to Leon."
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Gilbert Burns names fellow countryman as his 2022 Fighter of the Year
In the same interview, Gilbert Burns named Alex Pereira as his Fighter of the Year following the Brazilian's incredible title-winning victory against Israel Adesanya at UFC 281.
'Poatan' emerged victorious against his old kickboxing nemesis at UFC 281, beating 'The Last Stylebender' via knockout in the fifth round. The Brazilian became the new UFC middleweight champion after just four fights in the promotion and remains the only fighter to ever secure a knockout against Adesanya.
During their bout, Adesanya dominated Pereira for the majority of the contest. However, a vicious hook from 'Poatan' caught Adesanya in the fifth round. The wobbled Nigerian-born Kiwi was rescued from an onslaught of powerful strikes by the referee who decided he had seen enough.
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When Michael Bisping asked Gilbert Burns who he would name as his 'Fighter of the Year,' Durinho replied:
"I think it was Pereira. Pereira was a freaking beast [against Adesanya]. For sure, the UFC wanted to make that fight with Adesanya because he beat Adesanya, so it's a whole story. But he's gotta back it up. He gotta beat this guy and that guy."
"The guy looked across the cage at Adesanya, losing three rounds... He went there and he did it. All respect to Adesanya but I think Pereira is fighter of the year."
Watch the full episode below: