UFC 288 gets new Burns-Muhammad co-main event
Gilbert Burns is putting his money where his mouth is.
Following his unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287, Burns stated he was willing to fight anyone at any time. The UFC took him up on his offer, booking Burns (22-5) to fight Belal Muhammad (22-3) on short notice in a five-round co-main event at UFC 288 on May 6 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
UFC president Dana White officially announced the fight over Instagram Live. The news comes a little over two weeks after Burns said he would wait to get his shot at whoever the 170-pound champion is.
“Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, whoever is holding that belt—I’m coming for you,” Burns said. “I’m not taking no other fight, only the title fight.”
For the first time in his career, Burns will fight on back-to-back cards. He will have just 22 days between fights. Muhammad, on the other hand, last fought in October—a second-round TKO win over Sean Brady at UFC 280.
Muhammad is on a nine-fight unbeaten streak while Burns has won two in a row and nine of his last 11. The winner seemingly will be in line for the next welterweight title shot against the winner of the yet-to-be-finalized Edwards-Covington bout.
Burns is the No. 7-ranked fighter in the welterweight division while Muhammad is ranked No. 4. The UFC 288 card is headlined by an Aljamin Sterling-Henry Cejudo fight for the UFC bantamweight title.
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