Following his recent defeat in the UFC, Gilbert Burns has released a statement on social media.
Entering the main event of UFC Vegas 106 against Michael Morales, the former welterweight title challenger was in urgent need of a victory, having previously lost three fights in a row against top contenders in the 170lb division.
Known as `Durinho`, Burns had faced consecutive losses to Sean Brady (by decision), Jack Della Maddalena (by knockout), and Belal Muhammad (via dominant performance). His fight against the undefeated Ecuadorian prospect Michael Morales was seen by some as a step down in competition.
However, Michael Morales appeared unfazed by facing his most experienced opponent yet. He secured his 18th professional win without a loss by stopping Gilbert Burns with strikes in the very first round.
Gilbert Burns Comments After Fourth Straight Loss
A streak of four consecutive defeats often leads a fighter to consider retirement from mixed martial arts.
Yet, Burns has not indicated he will retire, despite his decisive loss to Morales.
The 38-year-old fighter maintained a respectful tone when he commented on the fight via social media the day following UFC Vegas 106.
“Thankful for this journey! I’m still super blessed,” Burns posted on Instagram.
“Of course, this wasn`t the outcome I wanted, especially for this particular fight where I worked extremely hard, as those who saw know. But this is the nature of the fight game and life itself!”
“Congratulations to @miichaelufc, wishing you and your team every success! There are no sad stories here! I am grateful for this beautiful journey and for all the lessons it brings!”
“God is good all the time! All honor, praise, and glory go to Him, whether in victory or defeat!”
His future in the UFC, including whether he plans to fight again or conclude his notable career, remains uncertain.
What`s Next for Michael Morales?
In contrast, the future appears very promising for Morales, who is widely expected to become a significant star within the sport in the coming years.
Defeating Burns will likely propel the 25-year-old into the top 10, potentially taking the #8 ranking when the welterweight standings are updated on Tuesday.
The current 170lb champion, Jack Della Maddalena, is anticipated to defend his title against Islam Makhachev later this year.
Following that bout, Shavkat Rakhmonov seems positioned as the next mandatory challenger for the welterweight championship.
Therefore, Morales will likely need to defeat one or two additional ranked opponents to solidify his claim for a title shot.
Percy Harlow