UFC booking Gilbert Burns – Neil Magny

Sep 28, 2019; Copenhagen, DEN; Gunnar Nelson (red gloves) fights Gilbert Burns (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Royal Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC is close to finalizing a big time welterweight matchup for their return to Brazil in January. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to report this evening that the promotion was closing in on a bout between former title challenger Gilbert Burns (20-5) and Neil Magny (27-9).

Burns has been itching to fight and wanted to get on the Brazil card for UFC 283. Neil Magny was willing to jump in there as he’s someone who is always calling for tough fights. Now, the two will meet in January.

This fight comes on the heels of Magny’s big win over Daniel Rodriguez earlier this month. Rodriguez had only one loss in the UFC and Neil Magny was able to put him away in the third round. Overall, Magny is 3-1 in his last four which also includes a win over Geoff Neal.

UFC Homecoming

Neil Magny is going to have his hands full in January. Gilbert Burns is without question one of the best welterweights in the world. We haven’t seen Burns since his close loss against Khamzat Chimaev that took place back in April.

To this day, Burns is the only man to have pushed Chimaev in a fight. Prior to the loss to Chimaev was a win over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Since moving to the welterweight division, Burns has only lost to Chimaev and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Burns had been calling for a fight against Jorge Masvidal. However, Masvidal’s legal issues have kept him on the sidelines. Wanting to get a fight in, Burns took this opportunity against Neil Magny. This should be a good one in Brazil.