Former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns believes his teammate Ian Machado Garry, aka “The Future” who recently dominated veteran Neil Magny, has the potential to hold the UFC welterweight title in the future and praises other rising welterweight fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, Michael Morales, and Gabriel Bonfim.
Gilbert Burns, former welterweight title challenger, is of the opinion that his teammate Ian Machado Garry is deserving of the nickname “The Future”. The nickname was attributed after Garry’s impressive performance during UFC 292, where he dominated over veteran Neil Magny for 15 minutes, resulting in an improved record of 6-0 under the UFC banner. This win has solidified his place as a potential contender at 170 pounds. Burns, a top-five fighter in the aforementioned weight class, recently discussed Garry’s standing among the next generation of promising welterweights.
“In a few years, yes,” is Burns’s response when asked if Garry is likely to be the holder of the UFC welterweight title in the forthcoming years. The 25-year-old, according to Burns, is incredible. Burns even revealed that Garry had predicted his fight, declaring what he would do even before the fight happened, and then, he pulled it off. However, Burns is currently rehabilitating from a shoulder injury incurred during his five-round fight with Belal Muhammad that happened in May. Despite the setback, he is looking forward to resuming action by early 2024. He also anticipates that the division will see a surge of potential young contenders.
Burns also includes Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, Michael Morales, and Gabriel Bonfim among the rising stars worth keeping an eye on. Rakhmonov is currently holding an impressive record of 17-0 to date, while Maddalena has remained perfect in the UFC with five victories to his name. Morales and Bonfim, two talents rising through Dana White’s Contender Series, are among the undefeated MMA fighters. Burns sent a warning to veteran fighters such as Neil Magny and Stephen Thompson to reinvent themselves to cope with the new talents, or they risk falling behind.
The former welterweight title challenger is in his late 30s, but he insists his mindset is different from other top welterweights. He sees himself fighting for a few more years, as long as he can hold his own against younger talents. He trained with Kamaru Usman and Ian Garry, and he believes he can compete at the highest level. Burns is eager for a return, however, he concedes that if he sees himself losing badly in consecutive fights, then it will be time for him to retire. Despite being older, Burns assures he still has a lot left in him and aims for at least a couple more years in the ring.