A Brazilian Bad Guy in Brazil
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Surging welterweight Gilbert Burns on Saturday will return to the Octagon in hopes of securing the most significant victory of his 11-bout run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The 33-year-old Hard Knocks 365 representative will face promotional mainstay Demian Maia in the UFC Fight Night 170 co-main event in Brasilia, Brazil. If Burns wants to score his fifth consecutive win, he may be forced to do so while getting booed in his home country.
“I’m prepared for that,” Burns told Sherdog.com. “If me and Demian are walking in, if someone’s getting booed, it’s going to be me. It’s not going to be Demian. I’m ready for that. I’m ready to get [booed], even in Brazil. The fans not in my favor is all good. I fought [Olivier] Aubin-Mercier in Canada. I fought Gunnar Nelson in Denmark. I’ve fought Brazilians in Brazil. I kind of know the feeling a little bit. It might be more negative than the other ones because he’s Demian, but I’m all for that. I think the opportunity is great. On that night, a win over Demian Maia will put me in such a great spot.”
In this exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Burns discussed the influence trainer Henri Hooft has had on his striking, the importance of changing his mindset and the value of using social media to further his career.
