Gilbert Burns is getting pumped for his next fight. He’s going up against Jack Della Maddalena, who’s known for his impressive footwork. Burns is eager for the challenge.
The showdown is set for UFC 299 on March 9. It’s happening at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Burns, a Brazilian contender, is looking to bounce back after a decision loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 288 last May.
His title hopes are on hold for now. Burns, or “Durinho” as he’s known, didn’t have many options at 170 pounds. Della Maddalena was the logical choice.
A few of the big names just aren’t available. “Colby [Covington] just fought. He’s not going to fight for a while. Leon [Edwards] just won. Belal [Muhammad] is next. Kamaru [Usman] is not fighting right now,” Burns explained on the JAXXON podcast. He’s coming off a loss and needs a win to get back in the game.
Della Maddalena, on the other hand, hasn’t lost a fight since 2016. He’s had six victories in the UFC, four of them inside the distance. Burns respects the Aussie’s boxing skills and is excited about the challenge they pose.
“This guy is very tough,” Burns said. “He’s 6-0 in the UFC. He’s got crazy knockouts, good boxer, heavy boxer – he’s not just a regular boxer. He rips the guys’ bodies. He comes forward kind of like [Paulo] Costa.
“He fights coming forward, rips the body – so the guy is a good [fighter]. He’s that guy that is very tough, that is a little bit scary. I like that, when I feel like, ‘Oh, s—t – if I’m not 100%, s—t might get crazy.’”