Gilbert Burns Blasts Tyron Woodley, Says He’s “Lost All Respect” For Former Champ

Gilbert Burns has raised his hand several times now, when Tyron Woodley has been talking about fighting again and reclaiming the welterweight title. But, now “Durinho” says he’s done trying to chase down the former champ.

Burns says he’s “lost all respect” for Woodley

After Woodley’s March 21st bout with Leon Edwards in London fell through, on account of the coronavirus pandemic, Burns offered to face Woodley. Then, as the UFC scrambled to find a new location for UFC 249, Burns offered to fight the former welterweight champ again.

But, as it stands right now, Woodley isn’t booked to fight anyone, and neither is Burns.

Well, more recently Burns spoke with Mike Heck of MMA Fighting. While doing so, the surging welterweight had this to say about Woodley.

“What happened was the first time in London, he declined the fight and then after the event was canceled, after the president gives the speech and then it was canceled, then he went on social media, ‘Oh, I accepted the fight with Gilbert,’” Burns said.

“That was a lie. He just asked to get on May 9, this card that’s coming, and he declined again.

“He declined for the April 18 that didn’t happen, that was supposed to happen. He said he wants to get on this card.

Sean Shelby, Dana White said the only guy available for you is Gilbert Burns. And they’re all, ‘Let me think about it.’ He got back after a couple of days, ‘We don’t want to fight Gilbert.’”

Burns didn’t stop there, however, as the decorated grappler also said this.

“But the guy that lies to [your] face, ‘Hey, I’m fighting, I’m in killer mode.’ No, you’re not. You pick and you choose fights.

I lost all respect that I had for Tyron Woodley. I had a lot of respect for the guy, he used to be the champion, former champion.

He had two title defenses that weren’t fun at all, it was an ugly fight, but the way he beat Darren Till, the way he beat Robbie Lawler, come on, you’ve got to respect the guy.

But then he lost, he just do one fight a year, if you take a look, he just fight one time a year. Then he lost and after that he’s just not fighting anymore.

Then, come on, the guy comes and says, ‘Hey, please, give me a title fight for my birthday.’ Come on, bro.

After that I was like, that guy’s playing around. Give me a title shot for my birthday? That’s crazy. I was like, no respect for this guy anymore. I’m done. I’m done calling him out.”

Woodley’s side?

Now,  Burns’ take on Woodley’s title defenses aside, should people pile on the latter for not taking the fight with “Durinho”? It probably depends on whether you think Woodley just needs to get back in there and score wins (as Kamaru Usman’s argued).

From a rankings’ perspective, however, Woodley has lots to lose and not much to gain from fighting Burns. He’s currently ranked #1 and Burns is #6.

So, unless the UFC guarantees that a win over Burns will deliver a title shot, Woodley probably won’t take it.