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UFC 288 adds Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad as short notice five-round co-headliner
- Mark Myword
- Apr 21, 2023
- 2 min read
The UFC is back with another exciting event, and this time it's UFC 288 which promises to be a night full of thrilling bouts. One of the latest additions to the card is the short-notice co-headliner, featuring Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad.
The organization made it obvious that they would begin searching for alternatives when the co-main event featuring Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush on May's UFC 288 show was scrapped. Dana White, the president of the UFC, consequently released a special announcement about the contest that was broadcast on the promotion's YouTube account. The main event of UFC 288 is a bantamweight title fight between champion Aljamain Sterling and former champion Henry Cejudo, which takes place on May 6 at the Prudential Centre in New Jersey.
“What I love about this fight is both guys wanted it to be five rounds,” said White. “Two of the best guys in the division, and both guys think they deserve a title shot after this.”
Burns will compete in the octagon three times in 2023. "Durinho" beat Jorge Masvidal by a unanimous decision at UFC 287 last month after submitting Neil Magny in the opening round of UFC 283 in January.
The Brazilian requested the UFC declare him as a reserve contender for the next Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington title bout, which would qualify him for the victor, after his victory against Masvidal. Additionally, on short notice, Burns offered his services and identified others, including Muhammad and former interim champion Dustin Poirier.
Muhammad will try to secure his first crack at the UFC championship by improving his current undefeated run. Muhammad is currently on a four-fight winning run consisting of wins over Sean Brady, Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia. He has not dropped in his last nine fights.
It's important to note that this fight is taking place on short notice, which adds an extra level of unpredictability to the bout. Both fighters have had less time to prepare and may need to rely on their instincts and experience in the cage to secure the win.
Overall, this co-headliner is a great addition to an already stacked card, and fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an unforgettable night of MMA action. Will Burns' grappling be enough to secure the victory, or will Muhammad's striking game prove too much for the Brazilian? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – this is a fight you won't want to miss.
