Gilbert Burns details training history with Kamaru Usman: '200 rounds sparring at least'

Gilbert Burns doesn’t need to do much studying for his first UFC title bout.

The Brazilian takes on former teammate and UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 258 on Feb. 13 in Las Vegas. This fight was originally scheduled to take place last July, but a positive COVID-19 test forced Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) out. The two were later booked for UFC 256 on December, but Usman was unable to fight due to injury.

Now, in a third booking, the duo are set to clash next month, but it will not be the first time the two will trade punches.

“Me and Kamaru had over 200 rounds sparring, at least,” Burns told MMA Junkie.  “We started training together in 2012 in Blackzillians. Then Blackzillians broke down, they disappeared, so we moved with Henri Hooft. We went to a place called Combat Club. Then we were there for almost a year, and then we opened up the Hard Knocks. We were at Hard Knocks for two years. Then we moved to Sanford MMA and then we been in Sanford for a total of two years. So I’ve trained with Kamaru for seven years and we both love to train.

“He was a good training partner for me and I was good partner for him. Just sparring sessions, over 200. And just the grappling sessions, plus the wrestling sessions, for sure I have so many hours on the mat with Kamaru. We know each other very well.”

The training relationship between Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and Burns came to an end when Burns became a title contender at 170 pounds, picking up wins over Demian Maia and former champ Tyron Woodley in succession in early 2020. Burns’ rise pushed Usman to take his training to Colorado under the tutelage of Trevor Wittman.

Burns recalls training with Usman fondly and won’t downplay the fact Usman was a great partner and a big help to his career.

“It was hard work for both,” Burns said. “He beat me up a couple of times; I beat him up a couple of times. It was very competitive, especially when I went up to 170. I think I was always a natural welterweight, but as soon as I moved up (from 155 pounds), I got a little bigger and then I felt even better with all the welterweights at the gym.

“But it was always good work. Kamaru was always a guy that if I saw that he was available, I was always looking to drill or to train and with him. We helped each other a lot.”

Come Feb. 13, Burns has to take out Usman to achieve his dream of becoming a UFC champion. Although they have history and they know each other very well, Burns wants to keep the fight strictly business.

“I have so much respect for Kamaru,” Burns said. “I like him a lot and it’s going to be a competition. No bad blood, nothing. I have nothing against him. He’s been a great champion, a good teammate. We were never close friends, we never texted each other or anything, it was always about fighting.”