Herbert Burns: Back Against the Wall

Herbert Burns understands his job in the Ultimate Fighting Championship could be on the line.

The longtime Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will attempt to put a stop to a career-worst three-fight losing streak when he confronts Jack Jenkins in a UFC 305 featherweight prelim this Saturday at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Burns returns to the stage on the heels of back-to-back-to-back defeats to Daniel Pineda, Bill Algeo and Julio Arce, all by stoppage inside two rounds.

“I feel 100%,” he told Sherdog.com. “I plan to start a new winning streak. The UFC is giving me a fourth chance. They believe in my potential, as do I. I’ve been quietly working hard. I’d like my work to speak for itself. It’s what I did before, and I’m sure I can do it again.”

Jenkins has rattled off nine wins in 10 appearances. The 31-year-old Australian has not suited up since he suffered a fight-ending arm injury in a technical knockout loss to Jose Mariscal at UFC 293 in September. Jenkins was an Eternal MMA champion prior to his arrival in the UFC, having punched his ticket to the promotion via Dana White’s Contender Series some two years ago.

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“Everyone in the UFC is very tough,” Burns said. “To get in, you have to be a quality fighter. Jenkins is a complete fighter. He’s won fights in every possible manner, but against me, I feel he’ll want to keep it standing and pressure me with kicks. I don’t see him beating me. I’m also complete. The difference today is that I’m 100 percent fine, physically. It wasn’t the case in my previous fights. I see myself winning in any way, but my preference is by submission. I come from jiu-jitsu, and I have my own academy. Jiu-jitsu always gets me out of any tight spot.”

Beyond the chance to test his skills against Jenkins, Burns relishes the opportunity to play spoiler Down Under.

“He’s fighting at home,” he said. “I’ll be there to pour water in his beer.”

Burns operates out of the star-studded Kill Cliff Fight Club outfit in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where he trains under world-class coaches like Henri Hooft and Dietter Navarro. Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler also played a prominent role in his camp, as did older brother Gilbert Burns and nutritionist Lucas Catta Preta.

“We focused on my strong points: my aggression and technique,” Burns said. “I have knockout power and submissions. I can finish the fight at any moment.”

The 36-year-old Burns sees his forthcoming clash with Jenkins as something of a re-launch for his brand inside the Octagon.

“I plan to win well,” he said. “I wish to show that I have far to go. I’m not a flash in the pan. When healthy, I’m a very dangerous fighter. I want to show this. Going forward, I’d like to stay active. After injuries, there’s a little fear in coming back, but I’m highly confident that I’ll have excellent results.”