UFC 283 was already expected to be one of the biggest pay-per-view fight cards of 2023. Two title shots across the Flyweight and Light-Heavyweight divisions we scheduled including fighters like Hill, Glover, Moreno, and Figueiredo. But the Gilbert Burns vs Neil Magny fight secretly has great implications as well.
Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns is currently the 5th ranked fighter in the official UFC rankings. Unlike some other fighters on the roster, the Brazillian has had to fight his way to the top. He has defeated the likes of Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Tyron Woodley, and Damian Maia on his journey. He has lost his fair share of fights but is not really the kind of person to step away from most challengers.
When pretty much the entire Welterweight division was avoiding the fresh prospect Khamzat Chimaev, Burns stepped in to fight the hungry campaigner. ‘Durinho’ did lose the fight by a narrow margin but impressed the MMA World with his super-competitive performance and a massive show of heart. Later he wanted to run the fight back against the ‘Borz’.
Neil Magny on the other hand is the 12th-ranked Welterweight per the official rankings. The ‘Haitian Sensation’ has recently set the record for the highest number of total wins for the Welterweight division along with the second-highest number of appearances. His journey to the top has been filled with ups, and downs and some of the toughest fighters in town!
Magny has picked up wins against the likes of Kelvin Gastelum, Li Jingliang, Robbie Lawler, Geoff Neal, and Daniel Rodriguez. Just like Gilbert, Magny has not been afraid to take on the big wolves of the Welterweight division like Shvkat Rakhmonov while calling for a fight against Khamzat Chimaev.
The Gilbert Burns vs Neil Magny fight is significant as the victor will likely be considered for a title fight after the Leon v Kamaru bout. Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev are the other two contenders but they still might require at least one more fight before they get to compete for gold.
UFC 283 is scheduled for January 22. 2023 at Rio.
