Things took place almost very differently in the career of UFC Vegas 106 Headliner Gilbert Burns.
'Durinho' has a difficult period in MMA's leading promotion. Burns lost to Belal Muhammad and Jack della Maddalena before his most recent defeat against Sean Brady left him on a threefold loss of Skid.
The Brazilian is now without a victory since he retires Jorge Masvidal two years ago and is far from the title.
But that has certainly not always been the case. In fact, Burns once raised a peak that fans wondered if he was about to become a UFC champion.
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Gilbert Burns wisped Kamaru Usman with brutal punch in UFC 258 Title fight
After he had won four upright when returning to the Welterweight Division in the UFC, Burns deserved the opportunity to face his former teammate and the then champion Kamaru Usman.
The two met in the Apex in January 2021, with the Headliner UFC 258. At the time, Usman came from a dominant title -winning performance against Tyron Woodley and successful defenses versus Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
Early in the fight, 'Durinho' looked on the right track to achieve what bitter rivals Covington and Masvidal could not be when he surprised Usman with a brutal right hand.
Although not credited as a knockdown, the Burns strike forced a dazed 'Nigerian nightmare' to drop both hands on the floor while he wanted to stay on his feet.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian challenger, he was unable to benefit at that time. Usman finally beat Burns in round three to keep the UFCwelter weight gold in his possession.
Gilbert Burns gives no hope of a second UFC title shot
Burns has struggled since then and lost four of his last seven fights. That negative run has dropped the Brazilian in the ranking to no. 8.
But despite his losing form and the approaching age of 40, 'Durinho' is convinced that he still needs what is needed to compete with the best.
That opinion recently received a boost after his former opponents Muhammad and della Maddalena Copted UFC 315. The latter came overrun after five rounds to become a champion.
Burns was only a few seconds from beating Della Maddalena in 2024 before the Australian set up an unlikely comeback to stay unbeaten in the UFC.
To return to fighting the top names of the division, 'Durinho' must first defend his place in the top 10 against the undefeated Michael Morales.
The couple will clash in the main event of the UFC Vegas 106 card from Saturday at the Apex, where a line -up is also closed that also contains Paul Craig, Sodiq Yusuff and Julian Erosa.