MMA Preview – Belal Muhammad vs Gilbert Burns at UFC 288
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BELAL MUHAMMAD VS GILBERT BURNS FACTS
When is UFC 288? Sunday 7th May, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 288? Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 288? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 288
What channel is UFC 288 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 288? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
BELAL MUHAMMAD VS GILBERT BURNS LOWDOWN
Belal Muhammad (22-3(1)) is having to wait a long time for a title shot and feels he is only one win away. Since, his ‘no contest’ with the current champ Leon Edwards (2021) which ended prematurely due to an eye poke, he has gone on to string four very impressive wins together. He earnt unanimous decisions over Demian Maia (2021), Stephen Thompson (2021) and Vicente Luque before his ‘Performance of the Night’ display knocking out Sean Brady (2022) which extended his unbeaten run to nine.
You cannot keep Gilbert Burns (22-5) out of the octagon. He pledged to wait it out until he gets his title shot, but he could not help himself in accepting this fight. His first title attempt set him back getting knocked out by Kamaru Usman (2021). He responded with a unanimous decision over Thompson (2021) but lost one in his war with Khamzat Chimaev (2022). However, he is back in the title picture after submitting Neil Magny in January and outpointing Jorge Masvidal only a month ago.
BELAL MUHAMMAD VS GILBERT BURNS PREDICTION
This scrap came about very quickly and it is also five rounds which shows the professionalism of these two elite athletes. It is also a mouth-watering match-up. Muhammad is not the most exciting fighter, but he is improving with every fight and we all know Burns gets the fans off their seats every time with the ability to finish anywhere.
Muhammad has relied on his wrestling for the majority of his career to subdue and suffocate his opponents. However, Burns is also a very strong wrestler and he is also one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners on the roster.
So, we can easily see their skills cancelling each other out forcing the majority of this fight on the feet. Burns has more speed and power, but Muhammad’s striking is underrated and we expect back-and-forth exchanges.
Neither man will give an inch for 25 minutes and we can see both fighters finding success on the feet and in the wrestling. So, the judges may end up being swayed who has more firepower which is Burns.
Prediction: Burns via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Muhammad via Decision
