5 potential opponents for Gilbert Burns after his setback at UFC 273

#4. Gilbert Burns vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat Rakhmonov could provide Gilbert Burns with a major test on the feet

If you stick with the theme of matching Gilbert Burns with a hot prospect, it’s hard to imagine a better fight for ‘Durinho’ right now than red-hot striker Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Currently ranked at No.15 in the division, the Kazakhstan native has been on a fantastic run ever since arriving in the UFC back in late 2020.

He’s already gone 3-0 in the octagon, taking out all three of his opponents in nasty fashion, and in fact, he’s never gone the distance in any of his 15 professional bouts.

Essentially, it’s definitely time for ‘The Nomad’ to take a step up in competition, but would a fight with ‘Durinho’ be a step too far for him? That’s definitely a possibility.

After all, Rakhmonov has never fought anyone close to the Brazilian’s level before, and despite holding seven wins via submission, including two in the octagon, it’s unlikely that he’d want to mix it up with Burns on the ground.

However, it’d be wild to see the Kazakh attempt to keep a clash with Burns on the feet, where he’d likely look to knock him out with one of his flashy shots.

Of course, based on what we saw him to do Khamzat Chimaev, ‘Durinho’ is more than capable of holding his own on the feet – meaning a clash like this could produce some fireworks.

Overall there are bigger-name potential opponents out there for Burns, but Rakhmonov could definitely produce a classic against him – making this possibly worth booking.

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#3. Gilbert Burns vs. Nate Diaz

Could Nate Diaz end his UFC career with a fight against Gilbert Burns?

Given that he basically avoided a fight with Khamzat Chimaev and has recently been asking for his release from the UFC altogether, the idea of bringing Nate Diaz back for a fight with Gilbert Burns might not make much sense on the face of things.

After all, the native of Stockton has tended to demand to face only the biggest names in the promotion since his two bouts with Conor McGregor in 2016, and in that sense, he may see a clash with Burns as a waste of his time.

That’s because ‘Durinho’ is an incredibly dangerous fighter who doesn’t possess the same kind of name value as someone like Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier, and thus a fight with him wouldn’t earn Diaz the same kind of payday he’s been used to recently.

However, with just one fight remaining on his current deal, if Diaz does want to leave the UFC, then he’d probably be best to simply accept a fight with whoever he’s offered, and depart regardless of the result – or risk being put on ice by the promotion for a lengthier time.

More to the point, at his best, Diaz may actually stand a chance of beating Burns. He’d hold a reach advantage over the Brazilian, is arguably a slicker boxer, and could almost definitely survive on the ground against him.

Despite his loss to Khamzat Chimaev, Burns’ stock has probably never been higher in terms of the spotlight on him.

So perhaps this bout is more possible than it might seem at first – and if nothing else, it would offer ‘Durinho’ a chance of claiming a huge scalp.