Gilbert Burns has officially retired from MMA competition. The welterweight contender's career comes to an end following a distinguished run in the UFC. In other news, the scheduled bout between Guskov and Jan Blachowicz has been cancelled. Polish fighter Ibo Baraniewicz will step in as Blachowicz's replacement opponent. The post also mentions that Mike Malott is expected to enter the top 15 rankings following his recent victory, though doubts remain about his ability to compete with elite welterweights. Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber 13-1 in a wrestling match and called out Colby Covington afterward, promising a 10-0 victory.
Gilbert Burns has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, bringing the curtain down on a notable UFC welterweight career. Separately, a scheduled light heavyweight bout involving Jan Blachowicz has undergone a late change, with Ibo Baraniewicz stepping in after Guskov was removed from the card.
Burns, 39, finishes his career with a record of 22 wins and 10 losses, competing out of Kill Cliff FC. The Brazilian contender, most recently ranked 13th in the welterweight division, built his reputation as a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also posting 2.12 takedown attempts per 15 minutes. Known by the nickname "Durinho," the five-foot-ten Orthodox fighter was considered one of the more complete competitors in a deep 170-pound division during his prime years.
The Blachowicz situation adds further intrigue at light heavyweight. The 43-year-old Polish veteran, ranked fifth in the division, was preparing to face Guskov before that matchup fell apart. Baraniewicz, a fellow Pole, has now been inserted as the replacement opponent. Blachowicz carries a record of 29-11-2 and brings a physical frame of six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, averaging 3.44 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy across his career.
Why it matters
- Burns' retirement removes a ranked welterweight from a division already navigating roster shifts, with Mike Malott potentially entering the top 15 in his wake.
- Blachowicz's opponent change could affect preparation and competitive dynamics at light heavyweight, where the 43-year-old remains a ranked presence.
- The late replacement of Baraniewicz for Guskov introduces an all-Polish matchup with its own stylistic and promotional dimensions.
