Shane Burgos Feels Bad for Suspended Schulte, Manfio: ’It’s a S—t Position to Be In’

Shane Burgos wasn’t supposed to be here.

He’s well aware of that fact. But now that he is, the UFC veteran plans to make the most of his second chance by defeating Clay Collard in their lightweight semifinal matchup at PFL 9 on Wednesday night in New York.

“This is the fight everybody wanted to see,” Burgos said at a PFL media day. “Before I was in the weight class, it’s a fight I had my eyes on for a while. I’m ready for it. It’s one of those matchups, it can’t be boring. It’s gonna be a firefight from the first bell to the last bell. I’m doing everything in my power to get this finish, my first PFL finish over a guy like Clay is going to mean the world to me.”

After losing his PFL debut to Olivier Aubin-Mercier and then earning a decision against Yamato Nishikawa in his second appearance, Burgos snuck into the postseason under unusual circumstances. Based on points alone, Natan Schulte would have been in the playoffs, but the league ultimately suspended the two-time lightweight champ and opponent Raush Manfio for what was determined to be a lackluster bout at PFL 6. That made Burgos the next man up.

“I want to make the most of this opportunity, first and foremost. Technically I wasn’t supposed to be here based off the points, but I was granted this opportunity,” Burgos said. “I won my last fight, gave it my all. I’m here so I’m going to make the absolute most of it.

“How do I feel? I feel bad for the guys. It’s a s—t position to be in to have to fight your best friend. I’ve never been in that position before. I can’t image being in that position, so I do feel for those guys, especially them being suspended. This is how we provide for our families.”

However, Burgos said the anger directed his way for the PFL’s ruling is unfounded.

“I didn’t do anything. A lot of people are giving me backlash for that,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Guys what do you want me to do?’ I didn’t ask for it. Had Yamato beat my ass, you don’t think the PFL would’ve done the same thing and gave him the opportunity? He’d be sitting here right now if it wasn’t me winning the fight.”

Now that he’s in a position to potentially fight for a PFL championship and $1 million, Burgos is tuning out the naysayers.

“It’s an opportunity. I can only control what I can control,” he said. “Any other s—t that happens, I’m not gonna put too much stock in it. If you don’t think I deserve it, I don’t really give a f—k what anyone thinks. I really, truly don’t. I’m the main event for a reason. This is the fight. I’m not just going out there to show up and get a paycheck. I’m going out there to win and cash my ticket into the $1 million final.”

Burgos hasn’t finished a fight since a TKO win against Makwan Amirkhani at UFC 244 in November 2019. He expects that to change against Collard.

“From the first bell to the last bell it’s gonna be a f—-ing banger. But I’m getting the finish in this one, no judges needed,” Burgos said. “And it’s funny because for this fight we don’t need to worry about points, but that’s why I want it even more. There’s no pressure to get the finish, but I’m putting this pressure on myself. I’m gonna go out there and have fun. I fell in love with this sport because it was fun … When I’m having fun I’m the best Shane Burgos in the world. That’s exactly what I plan on bringing Wednesday night.”