Gilbert Burns has officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. The Brazilian welterweight veteran ended his competitive career following his recent bout. Burns had been a top contender in the UFC welterweight division for years and competed against many elite fighters during his tenure. Specific reasons for the retirement decision or future plans were not detailed in the announcement. His retirement marks the end of a significant career in professional MMA.
Gilbert Burns, the Brazilian welterweight known as "Durinho," has officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, bringing a lengthy and accomplished professional career to a close.
Burns, 39, finishes his career with a record of 22 wins and 10 losses, competing out of Kill Cliff FC. Ranked 13th in the UFC welterweight division at the time of his retirement, the orthodox fighter from Brazil spent years near the top of a historically deep 170-pound roster, sharing the octagon with many of the division's elite. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, Burns was a well-rounded threat throughout his tenure, averaging 3.15 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also posing a consistent grappling danger, averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Burns was a long-standing top-15 welterweight whose presence helped define the division's competitive landscape over the past several years
- His departure opens a spot in the rankings that several rising contenders will look to claim
- As both a striker and a takedown artist, Burns presented a rare combination of threats that made him a difficult stylistic puzzle for opponents at any level
No specific reasons for the decision were shared in the announcement, nor were any details offered about future plans. At 39, Burns departs having established himself as one of the more durable and versatile fighters to compete in the welterweight division during his era.
