Gilbert Burns stated he did not plan to retire after his recent fight but was prepared for that possibility. He says if he cannot perform at his best again, he is ready to walk away rather than fight just for a paycheck. Burns revealed plans to become an MMA manager, believing he can help build fighters' careers effectively. He also intends to open a gym in South Florida alongside close friend Wagner Rocha, focusing on changing the lives of young people through martial arts rather than just teaching technique.
Gilbert Burns has opened up about the next chapter of his career, revealing that retirement is a real possibility while also laying out concrete plans for life after fighting.
Burns, 39, competes at welterweight and currently holds the number 13 ranking in the division. The Brazilian, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, carries a professional record of 22 wins and 10 losses. Over his career he has averaged 3.15 significant strikes landed per minute with a 48 percent striking accuracy, and has supplemented his striking with an active grappling game, posting 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Known throughout the sport as "Durinho," Burns made clear he did not enter his most recent fight planning to walk away, but said he is prepared to do exactly that if he can no longer perform at the level he demands of himself. He was direct: fighting purely for a paycheck is not something he is willing to do.
Beyond the cage, Burns has outlined two significant post-fighting ambitions. He intends to move into MMA management, expressing confidence that his experience and understanding of the sport will allow him to genuinely develop fighters' careers. He is also planning to open a gym in South Florida alongside close friend Wagner Rocha, with a mission that extends well beyond technique instruction.
Why it matters
- Burns is a ranked welterweight at 39, placing his competitive future in genuine question
- His management ambitions could see a veteran insider become an influential voice in fighter representation
- The South Florida gym project reflects a growing trend of established fighters investing in grassroots martial arts development
- The framing around performance standards, rather than money, signals Burns is thinking seriously about timing his exit on his own terms
