Gilbert Burns retires after Malott loss at UFC Winnipeg

Gilbert Burns has retired from mixed martial arts at age 39 following a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Fight Night in Winnipeg on April 18, 2026, with the UFC subsequently removing the Brazilian veteran from its official roster.

Burns, known by his nickname "Durinho," closes out his career with a 22-10 record across more than a decade competing at welterweight under the UFC banner. The Kill Cliff FC representative ranked 13th in the division at the time of his retirement and built his reputation as a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also posting 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes. The Brazilian spent years at the upper echelon of the welterweight division, sharing the Octagon with multiple UFC Hall of Famers during his tenure.

Malott, a 34-year-old Canadian fighting out of Team Alpha Male, improves to 14-2-1 with the victory. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, "Proper" has shown consistent striking output at 3.93 significant strikes per minute alongside active submission work averaging 0.8 attempts per 15 minutes. The win over a ranked, experienced opponent like Burns represents a significant result for the Canadian welterweight on home soil.

Why it matters

• Burns' removal from the roster confirms the retirement is official rather than a temporary absence
• Malott picks up a ranked scalp in Canada, strengthening his case for a top-15 welterweight spot
• The welterweight division loses one of its most durable and accomplished veterans of the past decade
• Burns faced Hall of Fame-level competition throughout his career, underscoring the caliber of his run at 170 pounds