Gilbert Burns retires after UFC Winnipeg knockout loss to Mike Malott

Gilbert Burns retired immediately after Mike Malott knocked him out in the third round at UFC Winnipeg on Saturday night, ending a 22-10 career that spanned a title challenge and some of the most memorable scraps in recent welterweight history.

Burns, who lost four straight heading into the Canada Life Centre main event, told the UFC post-fight show he entered the bout believing he would win. When that didn’t happen, he knew it was over. “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.”

Burns walks away content despite losing streak

The Brazilian welterweight, who challenged Kamaru Usman for the title in 2021 and went to war with Khamzat Chimaev in one of the sport’s most violent three-rounders, said he refused to collect paychecks without showing his best. Malott dropped him with a combination midway through the final frame and finished with ground strikes at 2:08, according to Sherdog’s live coverage. Burns laid his gloves in the cage moments later and addressed the Winnipeg crowd, thanking the UFC brass and security staff before his family joined him for an emotional moment.

Burns retires with 15 UFC victories and financial stability he says the promotion provided. He plans to open his own school in south Florida and move into MMA management, passing along lessons from a career defined by fighting anyone the UFC offered. “I was able to make a living, make a career,” Burns said. “Make a living off the UFC. Off those MMA fights, off those battles. I was able to make money, to own my house. I was able to do a lot of things with money like financially, I’m stable.”

Malott, now 14-2-1, becomes the latest Canadian welterweight to headline at home after Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald. He extended his winning streak to four and moves into position for a ranked opponent next.

Photo by Ameya Sawant 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
• mmafighting.com — UFC Winnipeg live blog: Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott | MMA Fighting
• sherdog.com — Mike Malott steps up ascent, storms past Gilbert Burns in UFC Winnipeg headliner