UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is well aware that his brother Herbert is entering a must-win scenario this weekend.
The younger Burns sibling is among those set to make the walk to compete on the preliminary card of the UFC 305 numbered event, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth.
The featherweight veteran has stepped in on short notice, replacing the injured Gavin Tucker to share the cage with Australia’s own Jack Jenkins.
It’s a key matchup for the 36-year-old Burns, who has lost three consecutive bouts by way of TKO since extending a win streak to five with a submission of Evan Dunham in early 2020.
Herbert has no doubt been getting plenty of brotherly support and encouragement in the lead-up to UFC 305. But also a reality check, with “Durinho” ensuring “The Blaze” knows what’s on the line…
Gilbert Burns: UFC 305 Fight Do Or Die For Brother Herbert’s Octagon Career
During a recent episode of his Show Me The Money podcast, Burns looked ahead to the upcoming numbered event, paying particularly close attention to his sibling’s scheduled appearance inside the cage.
“Durinho” acknowledged the stakes that surround the fight for Herbert given his losing skid and less than impressive displays, noting that his UFC career will be over if he doesn’t have his hand raised Down Under.
“My brother’s coming into a very hard moment, to be honest,” Burns said. “He had a shoulder injury (and) two LCL surgeries back-to-back. Last fight he lost by TKO; no confidence going into the fight, a lot of uncertainty. And (now) coming off three losses, bro. So he must win.
“It’s gonna be hard. I cannot be impartial on that fight; it’s my little brother,” Burns continued. “He must win this fight to keep his job. If he loses, we know he’s out, he has no chance. I talked to him yesterday night…he’s fighting 8 AM on Sunday there. … He’s acclimating very, very good. But Jack Jenkins, that guy has a good heart, couple crazy leg kicks, hits hard, durable. For sure I hope my brother wins, but the conversation we had before he leaves was like, ‘Bro, make sure you leave everything in that cage.'”
Burns will hope to return to his brother with a first victory since 2020 and a crucial rebound performance following a difficult run of knockout setbacks.
Should the Brazilian 36-year-old accomplish that feat at the expense of the home fighter this weekend, he would set the stage for his brother’s own key contest down the line. Gilbert is set to headline a UFC Fight Night at the Apex opposite Sean Brady early next month.
