Former UFC title challenger, Gilbert Burns, has nothing but respect for top contender, Belal Muhammad.
Burns spoke with reporters at Wednesday's media day ahead of this weekend's UFC 288 event in Newark, New Jersey, and discussed why he views Muhammad as a tough challenge, while additionally praising the 34-year-old Chicago, Illinois native's request to make the bout a five-rounder.
"He's going to be a hard fight because this guy knows how to win," Burns said. "That's a big thing because you see a lot of guys, they're so talented, so good, but they don't know how to win. They just find a way to lose. This guys the opposite. I don't think he's a spectacular striker, he's not great at anything, but he's good at everything and he knows how to win. That's a hard fight right there already. The craziest thing is, that guy is so hungry too. When he asked for five rounds, I was like 'I like this guy.' I gotta respect the guy. I think he's gonna be so tough. For sure, I'm looking forward to knocking this guy out or submitting him. That's what I'm gonna do every time that I step in there. But it might be a five-round war. He's a tough one. He's as hungry as me. The hungriest guys in the welterweight division are me and Belal Muhammad. I think it's going to be a war."
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