Back to the MMA Newsfeed

Gilbert Burns targeted as replacement to fight Gunnar Nelson at UFC Copenhagen

MMA Fighting has confirmed with sources that Burns is being targeted to replace Thiago Alves for a welterweight bout opposite Gunnar Nelson at UFC Copenhagen on Sept. 28 at Royal Arena in Denmark. The news was first reported by Combate.

Last week, Alves told MMA Fighting that he would be withdrawing from the event due to health issues stemming from a kidney stones infection.

For Burns (16-3), who has competed primarily at 155 pounds, this will be his second straight welterweight appearance. “Durinho” defeated Alexey Kunchenko at UFC Uruguay in August, a bout that Burns also took on short notice.