Gilbert Burns knows Leon Edwards can’t be counted out when he has his trilogy match against Kamaru Usman.
Edwards and Usman had their rematch in the main event of UFC 278 in August. With one minute left in the fifth and final round, Usman was well on his way to winning but Edwards landed a head kick that knocked Usman out.
The win was surprising and upsetting and with that, many expect Usman to defeat Edwards in the trilogy at UFC 286 – if the fight does happen. However, Burns, who fought Usman, thinks Edwards actually has the edge in the trilogy and wouldn’t be surprised if he won.
Gilbert Burns On The Rematch
“I give a little more edge to Leon just because the way he won,” Burns told MMA Junkie Radio. “And being at home with no elevation, not like in Salt Lake City with that elevation, yeah, I give a little bit more edge. Very close fight, but I give a little bit more edge to Leon.”
Although Gilbert Burns does think Leon Edwards has what it takes to beat Kamaru Usman in the trilogy, he isn’t sure if the Brit will end the year as the champ.
“I don’t know who will be the champion (at the end of 2023),” Burns said. “We’ll see what they do with Khamzat. I’m right there. Belal (Muhammad) is right there, and we don’t know what’s going on with Colby (Covington). That’s a good question. I don’t know who’s going to be the champion. That’s one thing I can’t control. To be honest, for sure I want to know, but I don’t really care. I want to be ready. If that fight happens or not, if these guys fight or not, I don’t care. I’ll be ready. I’ll keep fighting and winning and whenever that’s established, I’ll earn myself another title shot.”
Gilbert Burns, meanwhile, is set to return at UFC 283 next Saturday against Neil Magny in his first fight since losing to Khamzat Chimaev last April.
