Kevin Burns (4-1) will make his Octagon debut at UFC 85: “Bedlam” at the O2 Arena in London, England, on June 7, stepping up on short notice to take on Roan Carneiro (12-6) in a welterweight tilt, according to UFC.com.
Burns replaces an injured Ryo Chonan — no specific details of the injury were revealed at this time. It’s the latest hit to a card that has been hit hard –- early an often -– with injuries and replacements.
Here’s his take on the big opportunity:
“He is an extremely tough opponent with great wrestling skills and top positioning. He is definitely looking to take his fights to the ground and look for the submission. He has also fought some of the toughest in the world.”
Burns is a Glory Fighting Championships (GFC) and Victory Fighting Championships (VFC) fight veteran – both of which are Midwest-based promotions that are located near his home base of Des Moines, Iowa. He has never gone past the second round in any of his fights, winning a majority if his bouts via submission.
Carneiro dispatched of Tony DeSouza via technical knockout at UFC 79: “Nemesis” in December 2007, elevating his record inside the Octagon to above .500. “Jucao”— who recently signed on to train at American Top Team — has a submission loss to Jon Fitch and a unanimous decision win over Rich Clementi.
The Brazilian –- who is massive for 170 pounds — was supposed to take on Diego Sanchez at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion;” however, he had to withdraw from the fight because of an illness.
For the latest UFC 85 card click here.
17 Comments »
ahhhhh another blow to UFC 85. OUUchh!! they should call it bedrest. Carneiro should take this. 1st? omg!
burns in the first round no matter what u guys say. and it definitely is a good add to this card and great replacement. granted i am bias as he is a good friend of mine. but, i will tell u he will blow up on the welterweight scene. he is a big, fast, hard hittin motha tht is going to knok carneiro out!!!!! go FIRE!!!!
burns in first round by knockout. Go Burnsie!
this card is cursed! are there any of the originally announced matchups even left?
Carneiro is highly underated, but still just a gatekeeper. He would have gave Sanchez a hard time and he almost submitted Fitch. A lesser fighter would have tapped to that anaconda choke. I don’t see him going anywhere in the division, but I do see him spoiling some fighters plans within the division
Yeah, I think he would have given Diego a real tough time. I think it would have been Diego’s 3rd loss in a row.
Diego won his last fight.
I dont even want to talk about Diego until he fight someone decent again….Beilkheden and Luigi Fioravanti were not very good opponents.
After Chris Lytle destroys Koschek, I would like to see Diego vs. Kos 3
this card has had more changes than all others in history combined. the original fight was going to be the best sleeper fight of the card. well, all the best mr burns.
Hey Dana, we got a terribly weak card for UFC 85, what shall we do?
Well Joe, how about you add a Eddie Sanchez fight?
LOL – are you serious Dana?
Hmm .. you are right, he is terrible, but we can fix that.
How?
Just add Carneiro-Burns to the card Joe. This way, both fights are only relatively to each other really bad.
Oh,… you are so bad Dana. I love you, lets make out.
(or something like that Joe Silva and Dana White put that card together)
NOTE: the above accurate transcript of the discussion they had is completly fictional – I think
Defintley fictional, no F Bombs from Dana.
what the hell are you talking about above . this is how the good people in. hey frizz I will meet you some day good call cause I too am, a good friend of burns, known him for 10 to 15 years the fire is burning
Needs to be massive apology to UK fans for this incredibly weak card. That apology should come in the form of giving us a stacked card some time in the winter.
This may be Burns’ only shot at the UFC. Tough fight for him.
Is anyone still buying this card on ppv, or just hitting the local bar?
Tough call. Going to the bar makes you feel like you’re watching it for free. Meanwhile, after a few pitchers of beer and plates of wings, you and your friends have spent way more than $45.
Kevin Burns by ref stoppage in the second round. The first round will be spent with Kevin playing it smart and Roan realizing he has not faced a Kevin Burns before…Roan’s going down. This fight will be better than most of the fights on the main.