Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott face off ahead of UFC Winnipeg

Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott came face to face during ceremonial pre-fight activities ahead of their welterweight clash at UFC Winnipeg, with the staredown footage shared by UFC Eurasia.

Burns, known as "Durinho," enters the bout as one of the most experienced fighters in the welterweight division. The 39-year-old Brazilian carries a professional record of 22-10-0 and is currently ranked 13th at 170 pounds. A product of Kill Cliff FC, Burns blends sharp grappling with a steady striking output of 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and he averages 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes — a figure that underscores his threat on the ground.

Malott, nicknamed "Proper," represents the hometown interest on the Canadian card. The 34-year-old holds a record of 14-2-1 and trains out of Team Alpha Male. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, he edges Burns in both height and length. Malott produces a slightly higher striking volume at 3.93 significant strikes per minute, also at 48 percent accuracy, and averages 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes — suggesting he is comfortable looking for finishes on the mat as well as on the feet.

Why it matters

• Burns, a former welterweight title challenger, is looking to climb back toward the top 10 at 39 years old.
• Malott fights in front of a partisan Canadian crowd, adding pressure and energy to his performance.
• Both fighters share identical striking accuracy and similar grappling credentials, making the stylistic matchup closely contested on paper.
• A win for either man carries clear divisional implications at 170 pounds, where the rankings picture remains competitive.