Issue 161
December 2017
Gilbert Burns’ counter power punch flatlines Jason Saggo
You knew it was coming. Gilbert Burns’ right hand was cocked and ready to fire at UFC Fight Night 116, while Jason Saggo’s hands were low as he came forward with strikes. His corner warned him to keep them high, but when he tried to steal round two with seconds left in it, ‘Durinho’ was ready.
“We studied the tape and saw him come forward with the jab or kick,” Burns says. “I did a good job in the first round of countering the kicks and throwing hands on him, then worked on countering the jab. The knockout was pure and natural. It wasn’t something I looked for; I was relaxed and throwing super hard.”
On a plentiful evening of finishes, this was the most picture-perfect of the lot. Burns’ fist connected clean with Saggo’s chin and he flew backwards onto the canvas. There was no doubt he was done. It was the Brazilian’s first knockout as a UFC athlete and he was delighted to get it after the work he’d put in with elite striking coach, Henri Hooft.
“Before UFC I had two knockouts, but I could never pull them off in the UFC. It was a different level, a different stage. I’ve been working a lot on my boxing.
“During the warm-up everyone was saying, ‘Your right hook is so good and quick. If you throw it, they’re not going to see it. You’ll land it.’ We drilled it every day – picking my shots, and getting more and more comfortable throwing it.”
- Burns has eight submissions and four KOs
- The tell “When he started pressuring me, I was composed. I put my guard up and thought if he comes close, I’ll throw bombs.”
- First attempt “He kicked, I countered with the right hook and the left hook missed.”
- Counter strike - “He came again, and then I threw the right hand. That’s enough. He could walk forward, but no more than that.”
- Instantaneous - “That was so quick. As soon as I threw the hand, I saw his body was also soft and loose on the floor.”
- Out cold - “I looked to see if he was going to come back, but the way he landed, I knew he was done. When he fell, I just walked away.”
- 93% Burns' finish rate
- 8/10 fights ending by stoppage at UFC Pitburgh
