Gilbert Burns, Leon Edwards trade photographs in hope of title shot

It seems to be a two-horse race for the next welterweight title shot right after Kamaru Usman registered his next title protection on Saturday against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251.

With Usman (17-1 MMA, 12- UFC) currently acquiring wiped out lots of of his contenders, the two names that crystal clear sit at the front of the pack are Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards, both of those of whom have a situation to struggle for the gold just after “The Nigerian Nightmare” beat Masvidal by unanimous conclusion in the headlining bout at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Burns (18-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) is assured he will get the future shot for a multitude of causes. He was originally intended to challenge Usman as the occasion just before he examined positive for COVID-19 and was pulled, and UFC president Dana White all but confirmed the Brazilian would get his chance back.

“Durinho” certainly agrees that should really be the situation, and took aim at any one who proposed normally, including ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani, who pitched the plan of a Burns vs. Edwards title eliminator (by way of Twitter):

Only truthful? Arrive on @arielhelwani I know you really do not like me and I couldn’t care a lot less. But let’s go to details I just k.o the variety 5 and dominate the number 1 (previous champ) Leon has very good wins but no one particular in the top 5 So as the Authentic Manager @danawhite explained I’m Subsequent! That is Only Fair ✊🏾

Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), in the meantime, thinks he case speaks for by itself. He owns the longest profitable streak at 170 lbs powering Usman at 8 consecutive fights. He’s already dropped to the winner, but that came in a non-title affair in December 2015 when neither man was regarded as a contender.

The rematch was available to Edwards at UFC 251, but he could not accept due to lockdown limitations in his native England, and which is when the marketing shifted gears and went to Burns. Now “Rocky” thinks that provide must be built once again (by way of Twitter):

Usman carried out what he necessary to! Fantastic earn. Now someone be sure to go and throw that BMF title in the bin and although your there add Woodley’s name to my streak.
All people is familiar with I would of smoked him. Gilbert get in line and you can get yours following me and Kamaru run it back again.

The push from both males last but not least intersected with a single one more on social media. Edwards caught wind of a person of Burns’ tweets, and he responded to him to kick off a back again-and-forth interaction exactly where the two men tried to tear down the resume of the other (via Twitter):

Shut your mouth boy you’re only where by you are at owing to fantastic luck and circumstance. You have no location in the top rated 5 and you know it so sit the fuck down. You knocked out a 46 year aged jujitsu person and a washed Woodley sit the f*ck down

🤣🤣 Who you conquer journeyman Cowboy? Split conclusion on Nelson?? RDA is the only real a single you beat, but he wasn’t in the leading 5. And you just fight the moment or 2 a year! Sit down 🪑 the manager presently stated I’m subsequent!

Recall boy you received the Woodley combat because I couldnt. You received the title shot since I couldnt. You are generally actions driving me and you are levels under me.