Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott both successfully weighed in for their UFC Winnipeg main event, officially confirming the welterweight bout. Russian competitors Mark Vologdin and Daria Zheleznyakova also made weight for their respective fights. An update revealed that Thiago Moises and John Castaneda made weight on their second attempts, keeping all bouts intact. Notably, Castaneda had requested a catchweight bout at 63 kg the previous evening, which Vologdin accepted. As part of the agreement, Castaneda will forfeit 30% of his purse to Vologdin for the weight accommodation.
All bouts are set for UFC Winnipeg after Friday's weigh-ins confirmed every fighter on the card made weight, including a last-minute catchweight arrangement that kept one contest alive.
Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott both came in on target for their welterweight main event, officially locking in the headliner. Burns, nicknamed "Durinho," is a 39-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Kill Cliff FC. The former title challenger carries a 22-10 record and holds the number-13 ranking at welterweight. He averages 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine all-around threat.
Russian fighters Mark Vologdin and Daria Zheleznyakova also made weight without issue for their respective bouts on the card.
The more complicated weigh-in story involved John Castaneda and Thiago Moises, both of whom required second attempts before hitting their marks. The situation was further complicated by Castaneda having requested a catchweight limit of 63 kilograms the previous evening. Vologdin agreed to the accommodation, and under the terms of that agreement, Castaneda will forfeit 30 percent of his purse. Castaneda, a 34-year-old American switch-stance fighter with a 21-8-1 record, is one of the more active strikers in his division, landing 4.42 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Moises, a 31-year-old Brazilian out of American Top Team, brings a 19-10 record into his bout. He averages 2.48 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, reflecting a more grappling-oriented approach.
Why it matters
- Burns remains in the thick of the welterweight rankings picture at number 13, and a strong main event performance could push him back toward contention at 39.
- The catchweight agreement between Castaneda and Vologdin introduces a financial penalty that adds context to the result, whatever it may be.
- All bouts surviving the scales means the full card proceeds as scheduled in Winnipeg.
