Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott completed their final staredown before headlining UFC Winnipeg. The welterweight bout is scheduled as the main event of the card. Both fighters faced off in the traditional pre-fight ceremony. The event takes place in Winnipeg, Canada. No further details about the matchup or card were provided in the post.
Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott locked eyes at their final staredown ahead of their welterweight main event at UFC Winnipeg, set to headline the card on April 18, 2026.
Burns, known as "Durinho," enters the contest at 39 years old carrying a 22-10 record and currently sits ranked 13th in the welterweight division. The Brazilian veteran trains out of Kill Cliff FC and brings considerable all-around experience to the cage. He lands 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and adds a meaningful grappling threat, averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 0.5 submission attempts in the same window.
Malott, nicknamed "Proper," fights in front of a home crowd in Winnipeg and brings a 14-2-1 record into the bout. The 34-year-old Canadian trains with Team Alpha Male and holds a noticeable size advantage, standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach compared to Burns' five-foot-ten frame and 71-inch reach. He is the busier striker of the two on paper, posting 3.93 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and also threatens on the ground with 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Burns, a former title challenger, remains a significant test for any welterweight looking to climb the rankings
- A Malott win on home soil in a main event slot would strengthen his case for a top-15 placement in the division
- Both fighters share identical striking accuracy, making output and grappling transitions potential deciding factors in their stylistic matchup
