After suffering his first defeat since his Ultimate debut, Herbert Burns Keep your head up. After the setback suffered by Daniel Pineda No. UFC 252, the Brazilian analyzes the confrontation and shows maturity when talking about the negative result. In an exclusive interview with the YouTube channel do SUPER FIGHTS, the promising featherweight (up to 65,7kg.) spoke about the clash and projected plans for the future.
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Herbert entered the octagon on the 15th as one of the biggest favorites on the entire card. Coming off two great performances in 2020, Burns ended up not being able to set his pace and ended up being knocked out in the second round by his opponent on the main card.
First defeat in the UFC
Known for his excellent jiu-jitsu and ability to end his fights before the judges' decision, the Brazilian was unable to repeat his previous performances. Burns, however, spoke calmly about the setback and tried to explain what went wrong in the confrontation.
“Defeat is part of sport. It wasn't the result I was expecting, but there's nothing to be ashamed of. We have to learn from our mistakes. A fool is the one who keeps repeating the mistake”, said the Brazilian.
Failed weight cut
The day before exchanging forces with Pineda, Herbert experienced another complicated moment. At the official weigh-in for the UFC 252, the Brazilian ended up failing to make the weight cut and exceeding the category limit by 1,6kg. Burns spoke about the atypical moment and revealed whether the process influenced his performance.
“The body stopped. There were some things in the diet that were 'holding' my weight. We had to change our diet several times in a short space of time. We started dehydrating and the body seized up many times. A lot of pain in my back, kidneys and then I started to have a lot of cramps. It was difficult”, said the Niteroi native before adding: “I think the weight had a big influence. As I was having cramps, I had to drink a lot of fluids, so I gained more weight than I would have liked. I was very swollen,” he said.
What was missing for victory?
Against Daniel, Herbert reached the mark of three appearances in 2020 alone. The fighter, however, postponed his plans to get even closer to the top 15 featherweights and assessed what he would need to leave the event with another victory on his record.
“There were some technical errors, but I think more on the physical side. I had the chance to get a triangle, but I lacked physical explosiveness. I had the energy to fight until the third round, but I lacked that momentum, that physical explosion that I normally have and is a differentiator for me, in maintaining position. I lost a katagatame, which I was fitting into the mount, I lost a triangle in the first round, then I lost my back. These are positions that are normally fatal for me. In the fight, I let three of those get away,” he said.
Next step
Treating the defeat as part of an evolution process, Burns is already focused on recovering within the organization. The Brazilian, however, understands that he needs a period of rest so that he can recover and, from then on, look for a new opponent.
“We are still in August. I think we can go back there in December, November. It would be a good date, but we will adjust everything. You have to be 100% physically, you have to have a complete training camp”, he concluded.
Currently 32 years old, Herbert has 14 fights as a professional in MMA. The Brazilian has 11 triumphs and three setbacks.
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