Burns unhappy with Covington jumping the line for UFC title fight

Gilbert Burns reacts after the fight against Neil Magny during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Gilbert Burns unhappy with Colby Covington jumping the line for UFC title fight

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/22/23

When UFC president Dana White declared polarizing welterweight contender Colby Covington next in line for a 170-pound title shot after over the weekend, the decision didn’t sit right with a lot of people, including fellow contender Gilbert Burns.

During a recent interview with The AllStar, Burns admitted that it’s a bad look for the UFC to push Covington, who hasn’t fought in over a year, to the front of the title picture ahead of more deserving fighters, himself included.

“I don’t want to push no one down to put my name out there,” Burns said. “I think a lot of guys deserve a chance. I don’t think Colby, though, is one of them. He’s been out for so long. … I don’t think he deserves it, but who am I to judge, you know?

“… Sometimes it’s like freaking GSP (Georges St. Pierre) coming back or Conor McGregor coming back, yeah, those guys jump the line. But Colby Covington? Eh, I don’t know.”

| Leon Edwards remain insistent that he will not fight Colby Covington next.

“I definitely have a say [on next opponent]. He’s not getting it [the title shot].”

He also said if he is presented a contract with Colby’s name on it then he will NOT sign it.

[per The MMA Hour] pic.twitter.com/TKyijYjDGH
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 20, 2023

Covington’s last fight — a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal — came on March 5, 2022. Prior to that, the 35-year-old had two losses to former champ Kamaru Usman sandwiched around a TKO win over Tyron Woodley.

During Covington’s hiatus, several fighters including Burns, who’s ranked No. 5 in the welterweight division, plus No. 3-ranked Khamzat Chimaev, No. 4-ranked Belal Muhammad and No. 6-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov have all strung together impressive runs and pushed themselves into the title discussion.

Welterweight champion Leon Edwards is also on-record protesting Covington as the next title contender, stating he shouldn’t be allowed to back into a title shot ahead of other active fighters who haven’t taken a year off.

As for Burns, he has a potential title eliminator fight with Masvidal next month with the winner possibly next in line to face the winner of Edwards-Covington.

“I’m focused on my fight on April 8,” Burns said. “I need to get a great win, a great finish to put my name out there, to put my name back in title contention and that’s what I’m focused on.”

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