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Ultimate Fighting Championship
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts

Jorge Masvidal ‘should send me his tequila’ for UFC 251 payday, says Gilbert Burns

  • Burns, who dropped out after contracting coronavirus, feels he played major part in Masvidal getting title shot and big new contract at UFC 251
  • ‘I got the deal done … if I didn’t say yes, that fight would never have happened on Fight Island,’ says the Brazilian

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Why you can trust SCMP
Jorge Masvidal punches Kamaru Usman in their welterweight championship fight during UFC 251 on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
John Hyon Ko

Gilbert Burns feels he played a major part in Jorge Masvidal getting the title shot at UFC 251 on Fight Island, and subsequently the contract he desired from the promotion.

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“If I didn’t say yes, that fight between Masvidal and Kamaru [Usman] would never have happened on Fight Island,” the Brazilian told SCMP MMA.

“It might have happened later but I said yes and I got the fight and I got the deal done. Three title fights, Fight Island. I had the Covid, they pulled me out, and then Masvidal came in, but I think it kind of helped to build up [UFC 251].”

“Gamebred” (35-14) took the title fight against Usman (17-1) on six days’ notice after Burns (19-3) tested positive for coronavirus during preflight checks in Las Vegas.

Even though Usman dominated the fight with his grappling en route to a unanimous decision, it’s safe to say Masvidal’s star has never shined brighter. With early pay-per-view estimates coming in at a huge 1.3 million buys, UFC president Dana White admitted Masvidal is a “big star” with his ability to move the needle undeniable.
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