Burns shared the story with Brazilian journalist Renato Rebello on his Youtube channel, Sexto Round, while waiting for his return flight from Las Vegas to Florida. Burns lost to Kamaru Usman via third-round technical knockout in the UFC 258 headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.
"That´s fighter life. Winning and losing is part of the game. Of course, the fact that I had such a good first round and seeing the belt so close made me feel the weight of defeat even more. But I cried a lot, had a long talk with Vitor Belfort, Ronaldo [Souza] and my older brother and somehow it helped me to wake up really motivated, texting Dana to get me back as soon as possible,” Burns said. "I just want to spend two or three weeks 100 percent with my wife and kids and return 100 percent to the training routine. My biggest inspirations are guys like Georges St. Pierre and Robbie Lawler, who returned stronger and, after few wins, got the chance to answer the defeat. That´s what I´m gonna do against Kamaru after I get two or three wins.”
Burns also revealed what his former teammate told him while they embraced in the Octagon.
"He told I´m the toughest guy he ever fought,” Burns said. “I have nothing but respect for him, but that´s our profession.”
After his victory at UFC 258, Usman called for a rematch with Jorge Masvidal. Meanwhile, the promotion is targeted Colby Covington as a replacement opponent for Leon Edwards on March 13. During the interview, Burns was asked to choose among Michael Chiesa, Stephen Thompson, Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz as potential adversaries in the welterweight division. Burns said he would face any of the above but considers Diaz to be the least likely option.
"My main goal is get back on belt path, so any of those names would be interesting challenges,” he said. “Actually I would face Nate next week. But I don’t believe he would accept. I already defeated Kron Gracie, Jake Shields. He knows I´m a terrible matchup for him.”