The UFC has officially released two fighters this week, including a 12-year veteran who competed against multiple UFC Hall of Famers. This move comes amid a busy 2026 schedule, with upcoming events like UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas headlined by Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal, following UFC Winnipeg where Mike Malott defeated Gilbert Burns. The release highlights roster management in a competitive landscape, potentially opening spots for new talent. It matters for the divisions involved as it reshuffles opportunities for rising prospects. Expect announcements of replacement signings soon to fill the gaps.
The UFC has parted ways with two fighters this week, including a 12-year veteran whose career included bouts against multiple UFC Hall of Famers, the promotion confirmed on April 24, 2026.
The most notable release is Gilbert Burns, the Brazilian welterweight known as "Durinho." Burns, 39, leaves the UFC with a professional record of 22-10 and spent well over a decade competing at the highest level of the sport. Ranked 13th in the welterweight division, he trained out of Kill Cliff FC and was a consistent presence in the 170-pound rankings. An orthodox fighter standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, Burns averaged 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also posing a persistent grappling threat, averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes. His most recent outing came at UFC Winnipeg, where he suffered a loss to Mike Malott.
Why it matters
- Burns fought multiple UFC Hall of Famers across a 12-year tenure, making his release a significant roster move at welterweight
- His departure reshuffles the welterweight rankings and opens opportunity for prospects looking to crack the top 15
- The UFC's 2026 schedule remains packed, with a Las Vegas Fight Night headlined by Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal on the horizon
Sterling, ranked fourth in the featherweight division at 26-5, brings a high-volume attack averaging 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy alongside 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes. The 36-year-old New Yorker fights out of Serra-Longo Fight Team.
His opponent, Zalal, is 18-6-1 and ranked 12th at featherweight. The 29-year-old fights out of Factory X and is a switch-stance fighter who averages 3.03 significant strikes per minute with a 50 percent accuracy rate and 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat.
