Gilbert Burns’ toughness was on full display in the UFC 288 co-main event against Belal Muhammad this past weekend.

Coming together on short notice, Burns made the effort to turn right around after a big win at UFC 287 against Jorge Masvidal one month prior. “Durinho” retired “Gamebred,” getting back on a winning streak with intentions of leapfrogging over UFC President Dana White’s lock for next welterweight title challenger, Colby Covington. Meanwhile, Muhammad expressed his feelings regarding the odd choice of title challenger and hoped to further cement himself as next in line. Therefore, he accepted the opportunity when UFC 288 lost its original co-main event between lightweight contenders Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.

Unfortunately for Burns, a nasty set of first-round injuries hindered him for essentially the entirety of his five rounds opposite Muhammad. “Remember the Name” kept to his unbeaten ways, outpointing his way to a unanimous decision in a fight Burns barely made it through.

“I thought about quitting many times,” Burns said on his YouTube channel. “I didn’t, but I thought about it. It was that mental battle.

“I believe with that loss I took one or two steps back, but nothing changed. I can say I’m even more hungry. I can taste that belt one more time. … If everything goes my way [I’ll fight] at the end of the year.”

Muhammad added Burns to the list of 10 fights he’s gone unbeaten in, seeming to position himself as the next in line to face the winner of an eventual Covington vs. Leon Edwards title tilt. Burns, on the other hand, is a perpetual entertainer always looking to stay active. This time around, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt’s bread and butter on the ground ultimately led to his demise.

The extent of Burns’ injuries covers as far as a second-to-third-grade AC joint tear, and a dilatory tear in his shoulder, a torn muscle in his trap, and C-4 and C-5 neck sprains. Miraculously, Burns won’t be needing to go under the knife for any of the damage sustained.

“All of those are partial. Nothing major,” Burns said. “Thank God I don’t need no surgery. I’m taking a strong inflammatory. I’ve been sleeping most of the time. As of right now, it doesn’t hurt because I’m taking so much medicine. The good news is I don’t need surgery. It’s going to be between two to three months recovery. I’ve got to do a lot of rest the first three weeks. I don’t think I even have PT. I’m just going to get a brace [for my arm]. The good thing was all partial.

“He got the distance really quick and I was looking to counter his shots with a takedown, and whenever he tried to kick, I tried to jump to takedown, and I got to his waist, I kind of jumped to get the good timing, but I did it wrong with my legs. He sprawled back a bit and did a down block, and I landed right on my left shoulder. All my weight, all Belal Muhammad’s weight was on my left shoulder. From there on it was hard to clear my mind and accept that I was hurt.”

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TOP STORIES

Numbers. Coach: Aljamain Sterling should thank Henry Cejudo, claims UFC 288 sold 700,000 PPV buys; Sterling responds

Response. Paige VanZant fires back at ‘haters’ body-shaming her on social media, promises more authenticity

Hesitance. Chael Sonnen believes Henry Cejudo reconsidered retirement after Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley staredown

Update. Merab Dvalishvili clarifies injury, willing to fight Henry Cejudo despite limitations: ‘No problem’

Finale. Robbie Lawler set to retire after upcoming fight at UFC 290, main card announced for July 8

Success. Jon Jones’ return resulted in ‘highest-grossing commercial PPV’ for the UFC over the past 12 months

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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

UFC 289 trailer.

UFC Charlotte preview.

All Paris KOs.

Submission of the year.

Cejudo’s fight day.

Sydney champs.

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LISTEN UP

No Bets Barred. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Conner Burks discuss if Jailton Almeida will run through Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Charlotte.

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MORNING MUSIC

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Listen.

Breakable.

Banter.

Big score.

Thailand.

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A big fight week.

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Clearing the air.

Rampage Jr.

Sparring.

Time and money.

Spaniard.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kyung Ho Kang (18-9, 1 NC) vs. Cristian Quinonez (18-3); UFC Vegas 75, June 17

Alexander Volkanovski (25-2) vs. Yair Rodriguez (15-3); UFC 290, July 8

Kamuela Kirk (12-5) vs. Esteban Ribovics (11-1); UFC 290, July 8

Holly Holm (15-6) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1); UFC Fight Night, July 15

Tom Aspinall (12-3) vs. Marcin Tybura (24-7); UFC London, July 22

Lerone Murphy (12-0-1) vs. Joshua Culibao (11-1-1); UFC London, July 22

Nathaniel Wood (19-5) vs. Andre Fili (22-9); UFC London, July 22

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Not sure anyone would have faulted Burns with all those issues going on. Wild.

Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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