Longtime UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns announced his retirement from MMA following a knockout loss at UFC Winnipeg.
Burns fought Canadian Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Winnipeg on Saturday night. After a competitive first round, Burns began to take heavy damage in the second round. In the third round, Malott dropped Burns twice, and referee Herb Dean was forced to step in and wave the fight off due to TKO. The loss was Burns’ fifth straight defeat inside the Octagon.
Following the loss, Burns laid down his gloves in the center of the cage and announced that his MMA career was done. Burns retires with a 22-10 record in the sport, including a 15-10 record in the UFC.
“I think I’m done,” Burns told UFC commentator Paul Felder after laying his gloves down in the middle of the Octagon.
At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White praised Burns, saying the promotion liked him a lot, crediting him for being a terrific man and MMA fighter, pointing out his toughness and durability throughout his career.
Gilbert Burns was A Top Lightweight and Welterweight Fighter
After Burns won seven fights to open his MMA career on the regional scene, he entered the UFC in 2014 as an undefeated prospect. He made his UFC debut in the welterweight division, but he quickly dropped to lightweight, where he picked up several impressive victories, while also suffering a few devastating losses. Burns then decided to permanently move back to welterweight in 2019, and he quickly became a title contender in the weight class. He was able to beat top fighters such as Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Jorge Masvidal, and Neil Magny in the weight class, and he even fought former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for the belt in 2021. While that title fight did not go his way, the fact that he was able to get so close to the belt was impressive.
Ultimately, Burns struggled badly to end his UFC career, as he dropped five fights in a row, including the brutal KO loss to Malott at UFC Winnipeg that ended it all. However, he fought the best fighters in the world for many years, and you have to respect him for facing the high level of competition that he did for so many years.
Burns May Enter UFC Hall of Fame
Burns’ 15-10 record in the UFC isn’t Hall of Fame worthy on its own, so he won’t get into the Fighter Wing. However, the Brazilian had one of the best fights of the year in 2022 when he fought tooth-and-nail with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273, losing a close decision in a “Fight of the Night” performance. The UFC has a Fight Wing in its Hall of Fame, and there is a very real chance that the Burns vs. Chimaev bout may eventually be inducted into the Fight Wing.
Overall, Burns had a terrific UFC career, and though it may not have ended with a win, he has nothing to hang his head on, as he was a great fighter who was highly respected among the fans and among his peers.
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