At UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Malott in Winnipeg, Canada, unranked hometown hero Mike Malott secured the biggest win of his career with a third-round TKO victory over No. 11-ranked fan favorite Gilbert Burns, in what was Burns’ 25th fight with the promotion. Burns has solidified his place among UFC fans over the course of a 12-year career that included five performance bonuses. He has fought five different UFC champions, most famously in 2022 in a three-round war with current reigning middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. Many believe this résumé will eventually punch his ticket to the UFC Hall of Fame.
After suffering five losses in a row against stiff competition, the UFC still had him headline this Fight Night card in Canada, clearly showing how highly the promotion regards Burns. Though he hasn’t won recently, he always promises an exciting fight that fans will tune in to see. He faced off against the current face of Canadian MMA, Mike Malott, who has been scheduled by the promotion to fight in his home country on six consecutive cards. This bout with Burns marked Malott’s first main event since joining the UFC in 2022.
Carrying the torch once held by Georges “Rush” St-Pierre for the Great White North, Malott pressed forward and didn’t let up. Using crisp boxing combinations, his right hand eventually found its mark, knocking Burns down in the third round before finishing him with ground-and-pound strikes that forced the referee to step in. The reaction from the crowd was a reminder of why the Apex should host fewer events. The audience erupted as they watched one of their own enter the rankings.
Gilbert Burns took off his gloves, which didn’t go unnoticed by analyst Paul Felder, who took a moment to interview him after Malott had his moment with the crowd. “I think that’s it,” Burns said as his eyes began to well up with tears. His emotion was met with a roar from the Canadian crowd. The arena still appeared full; these fans stayed to hear the legend speak.
After thanking the crowd, his opponent, and the entire UFC staff, the class act Gilbert Burns told Felder, “I had a good career. I fought so hard. I want to win so bad, but I think that’s it. I fought the best guys in the world. Number one, pound for poud. A lot of guys were former champions. I never say no to a fight, but i think that’s it.” Gilbert’s family then joined him in the cage, and Paul Felder and the Canadian audience gave Burns a heartfelt sendoff. Even analyst Anthony Smith complimented the crowd for the moment they helped create.
Gilbert Burns Reflects on a Career Giving “Everything”
“I gave everything to this sport,” Burns told a reporter backstage as he recounted his path t:o the sport: starting jiu-jitsu at age 12, earning his black belt in 2007, and becoming a world champion in 2011. All before transitioning to MMA.
“I’m very happy,” Gilbert elaborated. “I’m always learning, trying to be a better man. I love the UFC, I love the guys in the blue shirt, the security, all the guys. I feel at home here. If there’s a place I need to take my gloves off, it has to be the UFC.”
When asked if he had intended for this to be his final fight before the event, Burns replied with a smile, “No, I was crazy confident that I was going to get the win. One thousand percent confident.” He continued, “If I cannot win, If I cannot show what I have. I don’t want to do this just for a paycheck. If I try and give everyting, and I cannot do it, then it’s fine.”
Looking toward the future, Burns implied that he would shift his focus to family and mentoring the next generation, closing the chapter on a remarkable career with honesty, humility, and gratitude.
