Jorge Masvidal has given his thoughts on the welterweight co-main event between Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns, scheduled to take place at UFC 288.
Burns most recently fought at UFC 287, where he beat Masvidal by a comfortable decision. The Brazilian will be making a quick turnaround against Muhammad, both of whom accepted a short-notice opportunity a couple of weeks ago to fill in for Charles Oliveira vs Beneil Dariush, the original UFC 288 co-main event which was scratched after the former lightweight champ suffered an injury.
Jorge Masvidal On Muhammad vs Burns
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Masvidal gave his thoughts on the matchup, saying that Muhammad has a slight edge due to his boxing.
“I think it’s going to be a good fight for (Burns) – tough,” Masvidal said. “I think Belal has, in the cardio department, more advantages in the grappling, I think. Gilbert has different weapons with a little bit better power than Belal. So I think it’s going to be a very interesting, good fight. I could see either one of them winning, actually. I think Belal is a little cleaner with the boxing.”
However, Masvidal was full of praise for Burns for accepting a short-notice opportunity when he could have easily sat around and waited for a title shot.
“He could have just sat out now until a title shot and he’s getting the title shot at some point, no doubt about that,” Masvidal said. “But that just shows Gilbert is a fighter, and people should get behind him because that’s what he’s coming to do is fight.”
Do you agree with Jorge Masvidal that Belal Muhammad has a slight edge over Gilbert Burns?
