Gilbert Burns and Olivier Aubin-Mercier were set to battle at UFC On Fox 28, but then it was revealed that Burns came to Florida days before the event at 185 pounds for a bout taking place at 155 pounds.
The UFC and Florida State Boxing Commission (FSBC) felt that Burns would have to cut to much weight before the bout, which led to the contest being canned altogether.
”After I checked in with the UFC, we got a house to stay with Vicente and my professor,” Burns said on The MMA Hour, “and my manager Ali (Abdelaziz) called and said that the commission and the UFC wanted to cancel the fight. It was kind of devastating for me. I put a lot of work for that, I believe it was one of my best shape, but I just accept the order. I was devastated in the beginning, but had to call my wife and all my coaches to explain. It was just crazy, you know? Working so hard and not being able to perform. I’m kinda almost a middleweight. I walk around 185 and I’m fighting at lightweight. A lot of guys do (that). Right now I just need to get lower. I just gonna make sure I fight.”
Despite the fiasco surrounding Burns and the canceled fight, neither the UFC or the FSBC have recommended the Brazilian move up a weight class for his next bout.
Burns does plans on talking to both USADA and the UFC to make sure that there are no future problems with his weight.
”They have ‘suggestions.’ Right now, I’m gonna ask USADA, Jeff (Novitzky), how much I have to be,” Burns said. “Just make that rule specific. Let me know and I’m gonna follow the rules. I am heavy, I’m a big lightweight, but I always make weight.”
While Burns has never officially come in overweight for a UFC fight, one time he did miss weight for a jiu-jitsu match against Garry Tonon at Polaris 4.
