Jon Anik believes that the loser of the welterweight co-main event between Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad won’t take a major step back in the UFC rankings.
The welterweight co-main event of Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view between Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad holds high stakes, as the winner moves to the top of the contenders’ line. Jon Anik, however, believes that the loser will not take a major step back. The two fighters compete in a five-round matchup at UFC 288, put together on less than three weeks’ notice at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Anik calls the action alongside Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier and shared his thoughts on the road to a title shot for the man who doesn’t get his hand raised. “Not as long as you think,” Anik said, “I do think that both of these guys are sort of willing to play the long game, even if that’s three or four years right now to make one or two more runs to be the welterweight contender.”
Anik pointed out that it is public knowledge that the UFC wanted to set up a fight between Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov, which could still happen if Muhammad loses to Burns. He also emphasized that Gilbert Burns adopted a mentality of being ready to fight frequently as the short-notice king of this division. “So, as high as the stakes are and as much as I love on the Anik & Florian Podcast to talk about these two-year championship setbacks, I’m not sure in this fight that the loser loses a whole lot, but I guess we shall see,” Anik commented.
Following Leon Edwards‘ second straight win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 to retain the welterweight championship, UFC President Dana White declared that Colby Covington would be next for Edwards. While the matchup between Burns and Muhammad could determine the next title contender, or at worst, the man who would fight the winner of the potential Edwards vs. Covington showdown, Anik admits that he wished the fighters had more time to prepare for a fight with such high stakes.
Despite the short notice, Anik praised both fighters for their willingness to step up to the challenge. He mentioned how these moments can change a fighter’s career, stating, “Sometimes the hugely high-profile fights and opportunities in this sport come up on short notice, and those that are ready for them can take advantage. And even if Colby Covington is next for the title, we’re determining a No. 1 welterweight contender on Saturday, and fudge if I’m not excited about it.”