Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott completed their ceremonial face-off ahead of their scheduled bout at UFC Winnipeg. The staredown was captured on video and shared by UFC Eurasia. Burns, a veteran Brazilian fighter, is set to face Canadian contender Malott in what appears to be a welterweight matchup. UFC Winnipeg is an upcoming event where both fighters will compete. No additional details about the fight or event were provided in the announcement.
Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott stood across from each other at the ceremonial face-off ahead of their welterweight clash at UFC Winnipeg, with footage of the staredown shared by UFC Eurasia ahead of fight night.
Burns, known as "Durinho," brings a record of 22 wins and 10 losses to the matchup. The 39-year-old Brazilian trains out of Kill Cliff FC and currently sits ranked 13th in the welterweight division. An orthodox fighter standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, Burns averages 3.15 significant strikes per minute and converts takedowns at a rate of 2.12 per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat on the feet and on the mat.
His opponent, Canadian fighter Mike Malott, fights out of Team Alpha Male under the nickname "Proper" and carries a record of 14-2-1 into the contest. The 34-year-old stands six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach and posts an even higher striking output at 3.93 significant strikes per minute. Malott also attempts submissions at a rate of 0.8 per 15 minutes, suggesting he is comfortable working across all phases of the fight.
Why it matters
- Burns is ranked 13th at welterweight, meaning a loss could push him further down the ladder while a win keeps him in contention.
- Malott, unranked per the available data, has an opportunity to break into the top 15 with a high-profile victory.
- Both fighters share a 48 percent striking accuracy rate and orthodox stances, setting up a closely matched striking exchange with grappling dimensions on both sides.
- The bout adds a significant welterweight storyline to UFC Winnipeg, pitting a seasoned Brazilian veteran against a rising Canadian contender on home soil.
