Former IBJJF World Champion Gilbert Burns will be returning to the octagon in July, and this time, he’ll be up against Stephen Thompson at UFC 264. The card will be headlined by a trilogy bout between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
The UFC announced the pairing yesterday.
The jiu jitsu master meets the karate specialist 🔥👀 #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/6Ayz2k1JQF
— UFC (@ufc) April 28, 2021
Burns is coming off a February loss in which he challenged Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title, ultimately being finished in the third round via TKO. Prior to that, however, he was on a six-fight winning streak that included a TKO victory against Demian Maia in March of last year. Burns is considered a BJJ specialist and is also set to face Rafael Lovato Jr. in the main event of this weekend’s Who’s Number One.
Thompson is currently riding a two-fight winning streak, with his last loss being to Anthony Pettis in 2019. He most recently took on Geoff Neal in the main event of UFC Fight Night 183, bringing home the victory via decision. He’s an accomplished kickboxer and boasts a record of 58-0, with 38 of those being as an amateur fighter and 20 taking place as a professional.
UFC 264 will take place Saturday, July 10.
