Gilbert Burns lashed out at Ariel Helwani after the ESPN reporter suggested that Leon Edwards should face the Brazilian for a shot at Kamaru Usman
ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani felt the wrath of Gilbert Burns and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently.
Helwani was on his MMA show with Daniel Cormier and claimed that Leon Edwards deserved a shot against Gilbert Burns to face Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.
While Cormier didn’t back this stance and claimed that Burns had earned his shot. Helwani kept on suggesting that Edwards got the short end of the stick since he was on an eight-fight winning streak.
Edwards was also to face Tyron Woodley, who was destroyed by Burns recently. However, travel restrictions meant Edwards remained in the UK.
There were more complications regarding Burns as he was supposed to face Usman for the title at UFC 251.
However, that was taken away from him after the Brazilian tested positive for Covid-19. Cormier also suggested that it was unfair to strip Burns of his title shot and that he should face Usman next.
Helwani, though, stuck to his guns, and Burns ripped into the ESPN presenter:
Wow @dc_mma the champ my guy! #TheChampKnows @arielhelwani a hater 🤦🏾♂️ July 20th is one year anniversary from Leon last fight 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ I fought 4x already, like the pandemic started last July?? I’m next tell Leon to revenge the 3 pieces and a 🥤 or Fight Thompson https://t.co/ZHNFvAkFip
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 13, 2020
Burns also shared his plans for Edwards and claimed he should fight Masvidal next:
The guy not fight within a year 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ they blaming the pandemic like the pandemic started last July 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ Im next period! Leon should Fight Masvidal, Thompson or Colby! That is it https://t.co/inPhtsJor9
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 13, 2020
The Brazilian went on to say that Helwani was a clown, and was happy he wasn’t making the matches.
Abdelaziz steps into the Octagon
Burns continued his tirade on social media and even posted which fights should take place in the Welterweight division.
Fights to make at Welterweight division! pic.twitter.com/Gb5JqoyStQ
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 13, 2020
Burn’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, also weighed in on the debate and ripped into Helwani too. The MMA journalist, during his show, might have taken a dig at the Egyptian too.
Helwani claimed that some fighters are getting the push because their manager’s control Twitter.
Abdelaziz tweeted that ESPN and TSN will not be allowed to interview his stars. That would be a huge blow to the two channels as Usman, Burns, Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov are all his clients.
Kamaru vs Burns is happening, Justin vs Khabib happening and he will not be allowed in the press conference, ask questions, anywhere near any of them. I was being cool but now it’s personal. https://t.co/ELdmRaWZTe
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 13, 2020
It would also be interesting to see if Abdelaziz can keep his end of the deal given that ESPN is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, media partner of the UFC.
Dana White has already confirmed that Usman will fight Burns next after the champion defeated Masvidal at UFC 251.
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