Former UFC title contender retires following devastating knockout loss in Canada

Former UFC title contender retires following devastating knockout loss in Canada originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A former UFC title challenger announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following a devastating knockout loss in the main event of UFC Winnipeg Saturday night.

Mike Malott scored one of the biggest wins of his career and ended the run of Gilbert Burns at the same time live on Paramount+. The welterweight fight served as the main event for UFC Fight Night 273 from the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Following the defeat, Burns placed his gloves down inside the Octagon, signifying the end of his run.

"I work so hard," Burns said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). "I worked very hard for this fight. I know Mike was going to fight at home. He was going to bring everything. I put on a great camp. I left no stone unturned. I couldn't show it. Shout out to Mike.

"I think that's it. I had a great career. I fought so hard. I fought the best guys in the world. I think that's it."

Tough end for former UFC title contender Gilbert Burns

The 39-year-old Burns turned six consecutive wins into a shot a then-UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in 2021, losing in the third round at UFC 258. He would go 3-6 over his next nine fights, including five consecutive losses to end it.

As for Malott, a Cleveland-born fighter who now trains out of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, this marks his fourth consecutive win, including two by finish. He is 14-2-1 overall in his career.