Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott completed their final face-off before headlining UFC Winnipeg. The welterweight matchup will serve as the main event of the card. Burns, a former title challenger, faces the Canadian contender in Malott's home country. The staredown caps off the pre-fight promotional activities ahead of their Saturday clash.
Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott stood across from each other one final time Friday, completing their pre-fight face-off ahead of their welterweight main event at UFC Winnipeg on Saturday.
Burns, known as "Durinho," enters the fight ranked 13th in the welterweight division and brings a record of 22 wins and 10 losses to the cage. The 39-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, is a former title challenger with a well-rounded game built on grappling pressure and volume striking. He lands 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and adds 2.12 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, making him dangerous across multiple phases.
Malott, nicknamed "Proper," fights out of Team Alpha Male and carries a record of 14-2-1 into the headliner. The 34-year-old Canadian stands six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach and has demonstrated sharp offensive output, averaging 3.93 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also attempts 0.8 submissions per 15 minutes, suggesting a willingness to seek finishes on the mat. Fighting in his home country adds another layer to an already meaningful assignment.
Why it matters
- Burns is a proven commodity at the top of the welterweight division, and a win over Malott would reinforce his standing at 13th
- Malott fighting in Canada elevates the stakes for a crowd-backed performance in what is his highest-profile main event slot
- Both fighters carry identical striking accuracy and a near-equal blend of grappling and stand-up, setting up a closely contested stylistic matchup
- The result could reshape the trajectory of two contenders still pushing for relevance in a deep 170-pound division
