Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott completed their final face-off before their welterweight main event at UFC Winnipeg. The post shared a video of the staredown between the two fighters. Burns is a veteran Brazilian grappler known for competing against elite opposition throughout his career. Malott is a Canadian fighter looking to prove himself at a higher level of competition. The fight headlines the upcoming UFC Winnipeg card.
Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott squared off at the final face-off ahead of their welterweight main event at UFC Winnipeg, with a staredown video shared in the buildup to the card.
Burns, nicknamed "Durinho," enters the fight at 39 years old carrying a 22-10 record and sits at number 13 in the welterweight rankings. The Brazilian out of Kill Cliff FC has spent years competing against elite opposition in the 170-pound division, and his grappling credentials remain a cornerstone of his game. He stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes — a reminder that his threat on the feet complements his submission-oriented wrestling.
Malott, the Canadian known as "Proper," brings a 14-2-1 record into the bout and will be fighting in front of a home crowd in Winnipeg. The 34-year-old trains out of Team Alpha Male and stands six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, giving him a size advantage over Burns. He produces 3.93 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and averages 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, pointing to a well-rounded approach that can operate on the feet or the mat.
Why it matters
- Burns is a ranked welterweight at number 13, meaning a Malott victory would push the Canadian directly into the divisional picture
- Both fighters share identical striking accuracy at 48 percent, setting up a competitive exchange on the feet
- Burns holds the takedown volume edge at 2.12 per 15 minutes versus Malott's 1.88, but Malott's submission rate suggests he is dangerous if the fight hits the ground
- Malott fighting at home in Winnipeg adds significant stakes to an already meaningful main event booking
