Gilbert Burns reveals criteria for final title run entering UFC Fight Night 242 headliner

Gilbert Burns is healthy, rested and recharged ahead of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 242 main event, and he’s keen to show he’s still among the most dangerous names in the welterweight division.

Burns (22-7 MMA, 15-7 UFC) hasn’t seen action since he was knocked out by surging contenderJack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 in March. He’s fought just once in the past 24 months after a stretch of three fights in four months in early 2023, and now “Durinho” is back in the proper headspace.

The former UFC title challenger is currently sitting on the first losing skid of his career after losing to Belal Muhammad prior to Della Maddalena, but he plans to change all that Saturday when he clashes with Sean Brady (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in a headlining bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN+).

“I’m super excited to be back there and finish this guy – get back and prove to me and all the critics that I still belong at the top and I still have one more title run left in me,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “We’re always going to have hate. If you don’t have hate, you’re not doing something right. There’s always noise. There’s always something. I like that. It’s always a chip on the shoulder that we’ve got to go over there and show up. I like to prove people wrong that I still belong at the top of the division.”

Burns said he’s used his time off from the octagon efficiently. He is focusing more on recovery than ever in his training, and is prioritizing smart work.

At 38, Burns knows every fight is more important than ever if he wants to get back to the form that saw him challenge then-champ Kamaru Usman for the title in February 2021. That means being careful about how he maps out his career when it comes to taking short-notice fights.

“I have a criteria now,” Burns said. “We talked to the coaches. I’ve got to be in shape. I’ve got to be healthy – zero injuries. My weight is always good. But if I’m training, if I’m in shape, if I’m injury-free – for sure I’m fighting again soon. But let’s see how the fight goes (Saturday).

“I’m planning on finishing Sean Brady early – not too early, but I think in the first three rounds I’ll be able to capitalize on something and get a finish. If I have no injuries, we’ll see. I’m planning on calling those guys out in the top five and get another one in December or January.”

Before Burns, No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, can think about joining the title queue for current champ Muhammad, he needs to show he still has it against No. 9-ranked Brady.

Brady, 31, is a dangerous grappler who is brimming with confidence after recently rebounding from his first and only career loss with a submission of Kelvin Gastelum. There is respect for Brady’s skillset on Burns’ end, however, he simply thinks he’s got a superior drive to avoid a three-fight losing skid.

“I have a little pressure,” Burns said. “I’ve got to win this fight. It’s not that I’ve got to win the fight. I want to win the fight. I want to win. I want to beat this guy. I know I’m capable. I just have to make the way, stay sharp this whole week, show up there 100 percent and beat this guy. I do believe I will. I’ll be able to finish him.

“It’s not an easy job – easier said than done – so I’ve got to go out there and execute. He’s a tough one – not an easy fight. I just think I’ve got so much experience with all these tough guys back-to-back – a murderer’s row. I’ve fought all the toughest guys in the division.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 242.