Gilbert Burns commented on his official removal from the UFC roster. The Brazilian fighter was released following his loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg, after which Burns announced his retirement from competition. The post confirms that Burns has been formally removed from the active fighter roster. No further details about Burns's future plans or his statement about the release were included. The post notes this as an official conclusion to his UFC tenure.
Gilbert Burns has been officially removed from the UFC's active roster following his retirement from mixed martial arts competition, the promotion confirmed. The Brazilian welterweight's departure marks the formal end of a lengthy and decorated run inside the octagon.
Burns, known as "Durinho," compiled a professional record of 22 wins and 10 losses across his career, finishing his UFC tenure ranked 13th in the welterweight division. The 39-year-old out of Brazil trained out of Kill Cliff FC and brought a well-rounded game to the cage, averaging 3.15 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also posing a consistent grappling threat with 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes. His retirement was triggered by a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg, after which Burns announced he was stepping away from competition.
Malott, the Canadian fighter nicknamed "Proper," improved to 14-2-1 with the victory. The 34-year-old, who trains out of Team Alpha Male, has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded prospects in the welterweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, Malott leads with volume, landing 3.93 significant strikes per minute, and adds submission pressure with 0.8 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Burns was a former interim title contender and long-standing top-15 welterweight, so his exit creates movement in an already active division
- His release clears a ranked spot at 170 pounds, potentially accelerating the climb for fighters on the divisional bubble
- The finish cements Malott's status as a legitimate welterweight contender following a high-profile scalp
