A recent UFC event featured several notable fights, including standout performances from Vologdin-Castaneda, Nallo-Herbert, and Zhorden-Phillips. Gilbert Burns officially retired following his bout, while Malott is expected to enter the top 15 despite questions about his potential against elite welterweights. The scheduled Guskov-Blachowicz fight was canceled but replaced with another Polish fighter, Ibo Baraniewksi. Arman Tsarukyan defeated Faber 13-1 in RAF competition and subsequently called out Colby Covington, promising a 10-0 performance. Tsarukyan stated he gave one point to Uriah out of respect but will fight Covington with maximum effort, vowing to dominate both as a fighter and wrestler.
Gilbert Burns has officially called time on his mixed martial arts career following his most recent bout, while the UFC's light heavyweight division saw a late shakeup when a scheduled matchup fell through and a Polish replacement stepped in.
Burns, 39, leaves the sport with a professional record of 22-10. The Brazilian welterweight, who fought out of Kill Cliff FC, competed at 170 pounds and sat at No. 13 in the divisional rankings at the time of his retirement. Known for a well-rounded game, Burns averaged 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy across his career, while also posing a consistent grappling threat at 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes.
On the light heavyweight front, the scheduled bout between Guskov and Jan Blachowicz was scrapped, with Polish fighter Ibo Baraniewksi stepping in as a replacement to keep a Polish presence on the card.
Elsewhere, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan made headlines both inside and outside competition. The 29-year-old Russian, ranked No. 1 at 155 pounds with a 23-3 record, defeated Uriah Faber 13-1 in a RAF competition. Tsarukyan noted he conceded one point to Faber as a show of respect, but made clear he intends to show no such courtesy to Colby Covington, calling out the welterweight and vowing a 10-0 performance. Tsarukyan, who trains out of American Top Team and averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy alongside 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, promised to outclass Covington both as a striker and a wrestler.
Covington, 38, carries a 17-5 record and is one of the division's most prolific wrestlers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes for MMA Masters.
Why it matters
- Burns's retirement closes the chapter on a decorated welterweight career and shuffles the divisional rankings at 170 pounds.
- Tsarukyan's callout of Covington sets up a potential cross-divisional clash with significant stylistic intrigue given both men's wrestling credentials.
- Baraniewksi's late entry into the Blachowicz card keeps the light heavyweight division active amid ongoing matchmaking challenges.
