Mike Malott defeated Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC Winnipeg, extending his winning streak to four consecutive victories. Malott finished the former title challenger Burns to cap off the night's action. The Canadian fighter continues his rise through the welterweight division with this signature victory. Burns, meanwhile, suffered another setback in what has been a difficult recent stretch. The finish came as Malott showcased his finishing ability against a veteran opponent.
Mike Malott delivered a statement performance in front of a home country crowd, finishing Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC Winnipeg on April 19 to push his winning streak to four consecutive victories.
Malott, known as "Proper," improves to 14-2-1 and continues to cement himself as a genuine threat in the welterweight division. The 34-year-old Canadian trains out of Team Alpha Male and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the cage, averaging 3.93 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. His ability to threaten submissions — averaging 0.8 attempts per 15 minutes — combined with a solid takedown rate of 1.88 per 15 minutes makes him a difficult puzzle for any opponent. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, he holds physical advantages over much of the division.
Burns, the Brazilian veteran nicknamed "Durinho," falls to 22-10-0 and now sits ranked 13th in the welterweight division. The 39-year-old Kill Cliff FC representative once challenged for the UFC welterweight title and remains a credible gatekeeper at 178 cm tall with a 71-inch reach. He averages 3.15 significant strikes per minute and contributes on the grappling side with 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes, but this result continues what has been a difficult run of form for the former contender.
Why it matters
- Malott's four-fight winning streak pushes him firmly into welterweight ranking contention
- A win over a former title challenger like Burns carries significant weight with the UFC rankings committee
- The stylistic matchup favored Malott's finishing instincts against a veteran whose recent skid raises questions about his trajectory at the top level
- The Canadian's rise gives the welterweight division a compelling new name to watch as the top ten begins to shuffle
