MMA Champion Set to Be Left Homeless After Flying to Meet Dana White in Qatar
An MMA champion risks being homeless as he hopes to land a UFC contract ahead of the promotion's Qatar event.
The famed Octagon sets up shop in Qatar on Saturday for the first time in UFC's history.
Top contender Arman Tsarukyan faces veteran Dan Hooker in the main-event and ex-UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad takes on Irish star Ian Garry in the co-main.
Muhammad vs. Garry is one of three welterweight bouts on the card, with Jack Hermansson vs. Myktybek Orolbai and Nicolas Dalby vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev also on deck.
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All six welterweight combatants made weight at Friday's official weigh-ins, making their matches official for Saturday's event.
Justin Burlinson was on standby if anyone had missed weight.
Burlinson, who won the Cage Warriors welterweight title in his last outing, flew out to Qatar on his own and made weight without his team in case of a pull out.
The Sunderland fighter made weight, tipping the scales at 170lbs.
But given Muhammad and Garry, among others, made weight, it appears Burlinson won't be needed unless there is a last-minute withdrawal.
Burlinson said he had hoped to meet Dana White or the UFC matchmakers in pursuit of a UFC contract.
He took to social media to document his situation as he plans to call for his shot at the fan Q&A which is set to take place before Friday's ceremonial weigh-ins.
"Back to my hotel now. I've been waiting at the fighters' hotel all day. Just check to see Dana (White) or one of the matchmakers... trying to get a word with them but that didn't happen," he said in a video before Friday's official weigh-ins.
"Make weight in the morning and hopefully there's a pull out," he added.
"If there's not a pull out, get to the Q&A and then get on the mic and call for my shot to Dana there.
"Hopefully I can get a contract with the UFC because I've spent the next three months rent on this trip... It's either get a contract or be homeless."
After making weight on Friday, Burlinson continued: "Made weight this morning. Pretty hard making that weight by myself without a team but chose to come out by myself. Looks like everyone made weight. Get to the Q&A and call for my shot on the mic."
The 28-year-old has won four fights in a row since losing to Rhys McKee, who is now in the UFC following their Cage Warriors bout.
Burlinson submitted James Sheehan in April to win the Cage Warriors welterweight title.
Topics: UFC, Dana White
Nasir Jabbar