Gilbert Burns believes he can dispatch of Sean Brady at UFC Vegas 97 but is prepared for a five round war.
The Welterweight showdown sees the number 6 ranked Burns face the number 8 ranked Brady at the top of the bill on September 7 at the UFC Apex.
Burns finds himself in an unfamiliar position for the Brazilian, entering a bout on the back of consecutive losses. When asked by the media if coming into the bout on his recent form has changed his mind set at all, the 38-year-old revealed his new thought process going into bouts and how it has helped him cope with his recent run. He said:
“(This is) The first time coming (into a fight) on two losses so I'm kind of like getting to learn that now, but I'm always positive. I'm happy and then even like if I fight good, if I win the fight, I celebrate the Saturday night, I for sure got the family so we can get nice food with the team, everybody. But then Sunday is another day you know we keep going. The victory carries on for like maybe four days, five days, until the next event.
“So I, kind of get to celebrate not as crazy when I win but I don't go too crazy on myself if I lose, same thing with the training. If I train, good, if I spa great, Nice. No problem. Nothing changed. We all need to get better. If the sparring was bad, I say no problem.
“What do I need to do to get better. So it is kind of like the same thing here. It doesn't change who I am. Win or lose. For sure, I want to win but he doesn't (get like) ‘Oh, my God. I lost. Everything is done now.' It’s not like that.”
At 16-1, Brady is a tough matchup for anyone at 170lbs and not an athlete many fighters on a two fight skid would opt to face. However, ‘Durinho’ is excited at the prospect of another tough fight and although keeping his answer short and sweet, in regards to his thoughts on Brady, it is clear there is a lot of respect between the pair.
“I like it. I think he's good competition. He tough, he’s durable, good Jiu Jitsu, I like it.”
Although the Brazilian may not be in best form of his life, Burns still believes he can achieve something only current champion Belal Muhammad has managed against Brady and stop the American within the distance. Although unsure how the bout will play out, the 29 fight veteran is ready for anything Brady has in mind.
“I think I'm going to get a finish. I think half of me wants to go to war. The other half is like, ‘Why? We can get in and out.’ But if the war presents itself, I'll be ready for war. I'm at peace with that. I'm friends with the dark side.
"If he needs to come out for war, he's going to come. We'll see. But I believe I can take him out of there before. But if we go five rounds, I'm cool with that, sure."
You can watch the full interview here:
