Gilbert Burns open to facing Colby Covington in RAF Wrestling

Gilbert Burns may have retired from MMA after his last fight in April, but apparently he has no intentions of sitting idle. The Brazilian says he is open to testing himself in a wrestling match and mentioned several potential opponents, including former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington. Like Burns, Covington is also retired from MMA and has already made four appearances under the RAF banner. Although the two fighters never met in the Octagon, they have traded verbal jabs over the years.

Gilbert Burns Open to Wrestling Match

Despite retiring on a five-fight losing streak, Burns believes his recent MMA bouts did not give him many opportunities to showcase his wrestling and grappling. The Brazilian, however, remains confident that those skills have continued to improve throughout his career.

"My wrestling is there, you know?" Burns told MMA Fighting at UFC White House radio row. "It sucks that my last couple of fights I couldn't show a lot of my wrestling, my grappling, but I've always been training, I've always been improving. For sure I'd do wrestling."

Since retiring from MMA in April, "Durinho" has already stepped onto the mats for a jiu-jitsu match. In June, the Brazilian defeated Horlando Monteiro with a first-round submission at UFC BJJ 9.

Gilbert Burns Eyes Colby Covington Matchup

When discussing potential opponents, Burns also mentioned Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan. However, it was Covington who appeared to stand out as a particularly intriguing matchup for the Brazilian, who has shared a history with his fellow UFC welterweight without ever facing him inside the Octagon.

"Finally (put my hands on Covington), right? That would be a good one. RAF, I'll do the wrestling. Let's do it."

For now, Burns has not officially committed to a RAF appearance, but he made it clear that he would be willing to compete if the right opportunity comes along. While he mentioned several potential opponents, Covington appears to be the matchup that interests him the most if he makes his RAF debut.