Lightweight competitor Gilbert Burns has signed a new four fight contract with the UFC, as his last deal ended with the promotion after his victory over Jason Saggo at UFC Fight Night Pittsburgh.
It was his knockout victory over Saggo that convinced the UFC to give the Brazilian fighter a new deal.
“I kind of had some pressure over me in that fight and managed to do a good job,” Burns said to MMA Fighting. “It was the last fight of my contract and if I had lost there it would have been bad for me, but I finished it in great fashion, got my first knockout in the UFC, and everyone loved it. (UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby and everyone in the UFC liked it a lot, and my manager Ali (Abdelaziz) got me another contract in the UFC. I’m super happy because my goal was to re-sign with the UFC.”
While the length of the contract is known, the amount of money Burns will make per fight isn’t known at this time.
With a new deal now in place, the lightweight would like to try and book a fight in early 2018.
“I have more four fights in the UFC, and I’m already asking for a fight in January or February,” Burns said. “I'm happy with my new contract, and that proves I’m on the right track. I still have a lot to improve, always, but that gives you extra motivation to train.”
Despite Burns’ desire to fight in early 2018, the UFC has yet to announce the next fight for the lightweight contender.
