Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns boo Dana White as he defends Colby Covington's title shot at UFC 287 presser
UFC 287 rivals Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns have voiced their displeasure with the prospect of Colby Covington getting a shot at the championship. The idea of the former 170lbs interim champion being next in line for UFC gold did not sit well with Masvidal and Burns, who are both looking to secure their own shots at the title.
The heated rivalry between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington has been well-documented in recent years. Similarly, the Brazilian native has made no secret of his desire to become the UFC welterweight champion, and sees 'Chaos' as a potential obstacle in his path.
At the UFC 287 press conference, a journalist queried UFC president Dana White about the possibility of the Californian fighter receiving a shot at the welterweight title against current champion Leon Edwards. In response, White provided his perspective on the matter, shedding light on his thought process and the factors he takes into account when making such decisions:
"Colby Covington, like him or not, the guy showed up in London and cut weight. He did what he [was] supposed to do, he deserves the fight against Leon."
Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns expressed their indignation at White's words by booing him.
Check out the entire incident here (from 19:14 mins onward):
Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal: Height, reach and stats comparison
The UFC 287 event scheduled to take place in Miami is generating a lot of buzz among fans and analysts alike, with many anticipating a thrilling and intense spectacle. Of particular interest is the co-main event, which promises to be a riveting showdown between two highly skilled and accomplished fighters, Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal.
'Durinho', who is ranked No.5 in the welterweight division, is known for his exceptional grappling abilities and is expected to test the striking prowess of Masvidal, the No.11-ranked contender. The matchup has all the makings of a classic clash of styles, with each fighter bringing their own unique strengths and strategies to the table.
'Gamebred', the hometown hero representing Miami, stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and possesses a reach of 74 inches. His opponent, Gilbert Burns, is slightly shorter at 5 feet 10 inches, with a reach of 71 inches.
Masvidal's professional record stands at 35-16 (12-9 in the UFC), while Burns has an overall MMA record of 21-5 (14-5 in the UFC).