Gilbert Burns has commented on his official removal from the UFC roster following his retirement announcement. The Brazilian veteran ended his career after suffering a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg. Burns' departure marks the end of a distinguished UFC run that saw him compete at the highest levels of the welterweight division. The fighter addressed his removal publicly, acknowledging the official end of his time with the promotion. Details of his specific comments about the roster exclusion are limited in the original report.
Gilbert Burns has publicly acknowledged his removal from the official UFC roster, confirming the formal end of his career with the promotion following his retirement announcement after a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg.
Burns, 39, compiled a 22-10 record across a welterweight career that placed him among the division's elite. The Brazilian, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, held a ranking of 13th in the welterweight division at the time of his departure. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, the orthodox striker averaged 3.15 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also posing a consistent threat on the mat with 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes. His career at the highest level of the 170-pound division made him one of the more complete fighters the weight class has seen in recent years.
Malott, the Canadian fighter from Team Alpha Male whose victory proved to be the final bout of Burns' career, carries a 14-2-1 record of his own. The 34-year-old stands six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach and leads with an aggressive output of 3.93 significant strikes per minute, also at 48 percent accuracy.
Burns addressed the roster exclusion publicly, though the specifics of his comments remain limited. The acknowledgment signals a clean and official close to his tenure with the UFC.
Why it matters
- Burns spent years ranked inside the welterweight top ten and challenged for the title, leaving a significant footprint in the division's recent history
- His exit opens a spot in the welterweight rankings, with ripple effects for fighters on the divisional bubble
- Malott's win over a veteran of Burns' standing bolsters his own credentials at 170 pounds
