Jokes about Russell Westbrook aren’t new, but former UFC champion Daniel Cormier dragged him out of nowhere on Saturday night.
During Gilbert Burns’ pre-fight walkout at UFC 288, Cormier, a current UFC broadcaster, gave his “Keys to Victory” for the Brazilian fighter against Belal Muhammad in a welterweight clash, and one of them was, “Don’t be Russell Westbrook.”
“Russell Westbrook, who I love, is one of the most talented guys in the NBA. As is Gilbert Burns [in the UFC.] Russ got to the NBA Finals once,” Cormier said on the UFC 288 telecast.
“He got back on the verge of it a couple of times, but he was never able to break through. This is Durinho’s [Gilbert Burns] chance to get a second opportunity at a championship, but you’ve got to separate yourself from the great Russell Westbrook and go and earn another title fight.”
There was normal advice like distance management and grappling that Cormier gave as w🐠elꦬl.
Advice that would go on fallen ears.
Saturday represented Burns’ shot at reclaiming glory, with the winner setting themselves up to be the next title contender once welterweight champion Leon Edwards faces Colby Covington.
But Burns let the opportunity slip away, dropping a five-roun💞d decision to Muhammad.
Burns, simil🥀ar to Westbrook, is a freak athlete with an advanced array of skills as a performer.
But time is running ඣout for both to reach the pinnac🎐le.
Westbrook has battled fans and media over the years in response to a variety of insults about his poor play in big games, such as the infamous “Westbrick” comments.
The former MVP has made the playoffs 12 times in his career but hasn’t won the big one yet.
In Burns’ lone title fight against Kamaru Usman, he nearly won the fight several times before eventually wilting under Usman’s pressure and losing by TKO.
Westbrook has had four conference finals appearances in his career, only making the NBA Finals once, a loss to LeBron James an🌺d the Miami Heat in 2012.
