Gilbert Burns revealed he was prepared to retire after his recent fight, though he had not specifically planned for it to be his last. He stated that if he cannot perform at his best level again, he is ready to walk away because he refuses to fight just for paychecks. Burns outlined his post-fighting plans, including becoming an MMA manager, believing he knows how to build successful careers. He also plans to open a gym in South Florida with close friend Wagner Rocha, focusing not just on teaching martial arts but on changing children's futures. Burns emphasized his desire to make a meaningful impact on young people's lives through this venture.
Gilbert Burns has revealed he came close to announcing his retirement following his most recent outing, and has already mapped out a life beyond the cage that includes management, coaching, and community work.
The Brazilian welterweight, who competes out of Kill Cliff FC, said he had not set that fight as a definitive farewell but acknowledged he was mentally prepared to call it a career. His message was clear: he will not continue simply to collect a paycheck. If he cannot perform at the level he demands of himself, he is ready to walk away.
Burns, 39, holds a professional record of 22 wins and 10 losses in the welterweight division, where he is currently ranked thirteenth. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, the orthodox striker has built a reputation as one of the division's most complete fighters, averaging 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also threatening consistently on the ground with 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Burns is a ranked welterweight at 39, meaning this chapter of his career is being evaluated fight by fight
- His potential retirement would remove a credible gatekeeper from a crowded divisional picture
- His planned ventures signal a fighter thinking seriously about legacy beyond results
On the other side of a potential retirement, Burns has detailed two concrete ambitions. He intends to become an MMA manager, expressing confidence that his experience inside the sport gives him the tools to help build fighters' careers from the ground up. He also plans to open a gym in South Florida alongside close friend Wagner Rocha, a project he described as going well beyond technique. Burns emphasized that the goal is to use martial arts as a vehicle to change the futures of young people in the community.
