Gilbert Burns has ended his MMA career following his recent fight. The announcement came as part of a broader UFC event recap that highlighted several competitive bouts. The post notes that Mike Malott will enter the top 15 welterweight rankings but expresses skepticism about his ability to defeat elite contenders in the new generation. Additionally, the Guskov vs Blachowicz fight was cancelled but replaced with a matchup against Polish fighter Ibo Baranievski. The recap also mentioned Arman Tsarukyan's dominant 13-1 victory over Urijah Faber, after which Tsarukyan called out Colby Covington.
Gilbert Burns has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following his most recent UFC appearance, bringing an end to a welterweight career that spanned well over a decade.
Burns, known by the nickname "Durinho," finishes his career with a record of 22 wins and 10 losses. The Brazilian fighter, now 39, competed out of Kill Cliff FC and built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded threats in the 170-pound division. Fighting out of an orthodox stance with a five-foot-ten frame and a 71-inch reach, he averaged 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also contributing on the ground with 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes. He leaves the division ranked 13th at welterweight.
The same event card featured a performance from Arman Tsarukyan, who recorded a dominant 13-1 victory over Urijah Faber. Faber, the 47-year-old American veteran known as "The California Kid," carries a career record of 35-11. Fighting for Team Alpha Male, he stands five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach and has historically averaged 2.65 significant strikes per minute in his UFC appearances.
Following the win, Tsarukyan called out Colby Covington. Covington, 38, holds a record of 17-5 and fights out of MMA Masters. The orthodox welterweight stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach and is known for elite wrestling volume, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes to go along with 3.81 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Burns's retirement opens a spot in the welterweight rankings, with ripple effects for contenders near the 13th position
- Mike Malott is set to enter the top 15, though questions remain about his readiness against elite-level competition
- The Guskov vs Blachowicz bout was scrapped and replaced by a matchup against Polish fighter Ibo Baranievski
- Tsarukyan's callout of Covington sets up a potentially significant welterweight contest if the UFC moves forward with the pairing
