Gilbert Burns retires after UFC Winnipeg loss to Mike Malott

Gilbert Burns retired from MMA after Mike Malott stopped him in the third round at UFC Winnipeg on Saturday night.

The 39-year-old welterweight laid his gloves in the cage following the loss, ending a career that included a title shot against Kamaru Usman and a war with Khamzat Chimaev. Burns entered the main event at Canada Life Centre riding a four-fight skid and nearly a year out of competition, but told the Paramount+ post-fight show he trained the camp convinced he would win. When it did not happen, he knew his time was done.

Burns on knowing when to walk away

“I was crazy confident I was going to get the win,” Burns said, per MMA Fighting. “I was 1,000 percent confident that I was going to win. I knew if something goes wrong, I don’t want to do this no more. Not because of anyone. Because I’m not showing my 100 percent. Maybe the age or whatever but I feel a little stuck. The fire is still there but I’m still a little stuck. I cannot let go. If I cannot win, if I cannot show everything that I have, I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to get just a paycheck.”

Burns moved up from lightweight to welterweight in 2019 and climbed the rankings with wins over Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley before challenging Usman at UFC 258. He remained a top contender through victories over Stephen Thompson, Neil Magny, and Jorge Masvidal, and pushed Chimaev harder than most expected in one of the most memorable scraps in recent years. According to Sherdog, Burns never cherry-picked opponents despite holding a high ranking, choosing instead to face whoever the UFC put in front of him.

Burns finishes his UFC run 22-10 overall. He told reporters he plans to open a gym in South Florida with friend Vagner Rocha and pursue MMA management.

Photo by yousef samuil on Unsplash

Original reporting:

mmafighting.com — Gilbert Burns explains decision to retire after UFC Winnipeg: ‘If I cannot win … I don’t want to do this’ | MMA Fighting

sherdog.com — Gilbert Burns explains decision to retire following UFC Winnipeg