Gilbert Burns Reveals Potential Return Timeline, Eyes Colby Covington

Gilbert Burns claims to have fully recovered from his shoulder injury and is plotting a return to the Octagon, with a specific foe in mind.

Burns (22-6) is coming off a decision loss against Belal Muhammad at UFC 288 in July after appearing to damage his left hand early in the fight. “Durinho” went on to severely injure his shoulder in training, which has kept him on the shelf ever since. The Brazilian now claims to have fully recovered from the injury and is now back to training. Burns told MMA Junkie:

“I’m 100 percent and back to training. I’m in no pain and injury free. I didn’t get surgery. I almost did. My ligament was barely hanging on my shoulder. My deltoid and my AC joint was very compromised, so I had to rest a lot. I couldn’t do anything for like three months, and then I started my (physical therapy), and then I put a couple of stem cells, and now I’m back to training.”

While Burns is eyeing a return in March or April and is already in touch with the UFC execs, he has yet to be offered any potential opponents. The Brazilian has reportedly been asked to wait for the upcoming UFC 296 which has six ranked welterweights competing including Leon Edwards defending his title against former interim champ Colby Covington.

While Muhammad was expected to get the next title shot after beating Burns, the promotion elected to go with Covington. Burns is now eyeing a clash against Covington, implying that he does not expect “Chaos” to beat Edwards. The 37-year-old said:

“We talked to Hunter (Campbell) and we didn’t get options yet. No names yet they’re throwing at me, and they’re saying let’s wait until UFC 296 and after that we’ll talk about opponent.

“But I kind of have a date,” Burns added. “I think I’m fighting March or April, UFC 299 or UFC 300. Both dates are good, but let’s see how UFC 296 plays out first, because one opponent I would really like to fight is Colby Covington. He is fighting for the title, so that’s not even a possibility. I have to wait for all that going on.”