Brazilian promise in the featherweight division (up to 65,7kg.) of Ultimate, Herbert Burns lived a real drama in UFC Long Island. The event, which marked the athlete's return after almost two years of inactivity due to injury, ended up representing a new injury for the fighter. Days after the defeat against Bill Algeo, the Niteroi native spoke exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS and vented about the moment.
Last weekend, Burns returned to the octagon to try to get back on track to winning ways. The fighter, however, ended up suffering the same knee injury that kept him away from the sport for almost 24 months.
Timing of injury
Excited about his return to MMA, Burns got off to a good start in the fight against Algeo. In the first minutes, the Tupiniquim came close to finishing his rival, however, he felt an injury to his knee, which directly interfered with his performance in the rest of the match.
“It’s the same knee. I already knew that accidents can happen. I thought: ‘I’m going to fight safely so I don’t cause any problems. I’m going to go there, take him down and finish him’. That's what I did. When I took the fall, we had a fight to see who would be on top. I felt that he (Algeo) wasn't strong, I was much stronger, but I felt my knee come out of place. When I fell, my knee was ‘all loose’. He beat despair. 'I don't believe'. (…) When I went to the triangle, it fit, but I couldn't tighten it. There was no pressure. (…) I was emotionally shaken by the injury. I didn’t feel tired or in pain,” Burns described.
Breakdown at halftime
Even with his physical limitations, Herbert resisted and managed to reach the end of the first round. During the break, next to Gilbert Durinho, one of the coaches for the confrontation, Burns even stated that he was unable to return to the fight, but chose to try. The athlete then narrates the dramatic episode.
“The knee was fucked up. So, if I don't come back, the regret would be forever, because I had almost finished. (…) It’s bad, but we’re going to war. I trained a lot, I dieted, I did everything right. Everything that had to be done. (…) I wanted to go back. I have to believe in myself. I saw that he was weak in grapple. Standing up, I couldn't see, because I couldn't move properly. (…) I think I could have grabbed it and taken it to the ground, but I almost did it again. (…) He (Bill) realized that I was screwed,” she said.
Total disappointment
After months of training and the expectation of getting back on the path to victory in Ultimate, Burns does not hide the bitter taste of his moment. The athlete thus talks about the psychological side after the drama.
“I was devastated. After all this sacrifice comes another injury. I was already defeated. Now, something that is out of your control, a fatality. And the guy celebrating”, he said.
Rematch against Algeo
After the official announcement of the fight, Algeo effusively celebrated the positive result via technical knockout. Burns, in turn, does not give up and reveals his desire to share the Octagon with his rival again.
“I want a rematch with him. If, when I return, and he's still in the UFC, I want to fight him. You have to have respect. If he was making out with me, and it was difficult (fine). He had nothing. He's talking and I have to listen. When we are in a position of strength, we speak with more emphasis,” he said.
Forecast return
After the tense moment in his career, Herbert still doesn't know for sure the real severity of the injury. The athlete, however, suspects a rupture of the total ligament in the knee. Thus, the athlete suggests a prediction for returning to active duty.
“The exam is needed to confirm the suspicions. (…) There were two doctors and they both think it is a complete rupture of the cruciate ligament. If so, it will be nine months (to be able to return to training)”, he concluded.
