One of the long-term welter weights of the promotion returns on Saturday, while former title finer Gilbert De Krantenkoppen UFC Vegas 106 on the Apex.
Although the Brazilian certainly reached veteran status at the age of 38, he still believes that he has a lot to offer for the top of the pecking order at 170 pounds.
To prove so much, Burns must defend his No. 8 Place in the ranking against a fast charging prospect.
Fortunately for him, 'Durinho' has prepared himself mentally for the challenge for so long for nine months.
Gilbert Burns expected UFC Vegas 106 Vecht after he had finished finishing Michael Morales Neil Magny
While he spoke to UFC.com with Simon Head, Burns revealed that he had a collision with Michael Morales in his future last August.
That was after looking at Morales Crush Neil Magny in a first round knockout that expanded the unbeaten record of the Ecuadorian to 17-0.
'Durinho' knows first -hand how you can get the upper hand of 'The Haitian Sensation'. Burns submitted Magny 19 months earlier to UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro.
“I looked at the fight when he defeated Neil Magny, and the way he defeated Neil Magny, the first round, very rotating elbow and so on, I am just like:” They are going to offer me this guy “and I started training for him. I knew it.
“I started watching. Solid struggling, good boxing, 25 years old. He looks very athletic. He looks like a freak. So I have to make sure I have put a lot of work and prepare me for him.
“I think he deserves a crack at the top 10. Many guys would be [like]'Oh, I don't want to fight back [down the rankings]. I will fight against everyone. I want to get back to that win -column. And Michael Morales, it's your turn. “
Gilbert Burns has lost three of the four fights since the beating of Neil Magny
Since a quick victory over Magny who protected the controversial clash of Burns with Jorge Masvidal in Miami, the Brazilian has difficulty getting his hand in the UFC Octagon.
A comfortable triumph against Masvidal pushed 'Durinho' close to a second Weldterweight title shot and marked him as one of the in-shape men in the division.
But the subsequent defeats for Belal Muhammad, Jack della Maddalena and Sean Brady got stuck the momentum of Burns.
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Given the way his losses at the former and current champions and a result affected by Muhammad and a late comeback by della Maddalena is Burn's confidence in his ability to compete with the best.
First he must first fight in the ranking and return to the circle of the winner at the expense of Morales.