Gilbert Burns stated he did not plan to retire after his recent fight but was prepared for that possibility. He indicated that if he fails to perform to his standards again, he is ready to walk away rather than fight just for a paycheck. Burns expressed interest in becoming an MMA manager, believing he knows how to build a fighter's career. He also plans to open a gym in South Florida with close friend Wagner Rocha, focusing on changing the lives of young people through martial arts. Burns emphasized he wants to make a meaningful impact beyond competition.
Gilbert Burns has opened up about the possibility of retirement, saying he is willing to walk away from competition if he fails to meet his own performance standards in his next outing.
The 39-year-old Brazilian welterweight, known as "Durinho," carries a professional record of 22-10 and is currently ranked 13th in the 170-pound division. Fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, Burns has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded grapplers in the weight class, averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking output of 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. Despite those credentials, his recent run of results has left him questioning how much longer he wants to continue.
Burns made clear that retirement was not his immediate plan following his last fight, but he acknowledged it is a real option he is keeping on the table. He stated that if he cannot perform to the level he expects of himself, he would rather step away than continue competing simply for financial reward.
Why it matters
- Burns sits just outside the top 12 at welterweight, meaning another disappointing result could push him further down the rankings and closer to the end of a meaningful title run
- His willingness to self-impose retirement adds urgency to whatever fight comes next
- The welterweight division at 170 pounds remains crowded, and a veteran presence ranked 13th walking away would open movement for contenders beneath him
Beyond fighting, Burns outlined plans that suggest he is already thinking seriously about life after competition. He intends to open a gym in South Florida alongside close friend Wagner Rocha, with the facility aimed at using martial arts to positively impact young people in the community. He also expressed a desire to move into MMA management, citing a belief that his career experience gives him the tools to guide developing fighters.
