Gilbert Burns didn't plan to retire at UFC Winnipeg

The decision to walk away from MMA often takes a long time to figure out, and eventually make, for aging fighters. However, that was far from the case for Gilbert Burns.

Burns (22-10 MMA, 15-10 UFC), a former UFC title challenger, hung up the gloves on Saturday night after his TKO loss to Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Fight Night 273 in Winnipeg, Canada. Despite it being such a big decision to close out a decade-long career in the UFC, Burns revealed he made the decision on the spot. The Brazilian had no intention to retire this weekend heading into UFC Winnipeg.

"No, I was crazy confident that I was going to get the win," Burns told Paramount+ when asked if he planned to retire. "I was 1,000 percent confident that I was going to win. I knew if something went wrong, I didn't want to do this anymore, not because of anyone, but because I'm not showing my 100 percent. Maybe it's the age or whatever, but I don't feel (good). I feel a little stuck. I feel a little stuck. I cannot let go, and I'm like, 'You know what? If I can't win, if I can't show everything I've got, I don't want to do this just for a paycheck.' I tried to leave everything, and if I cannot do it, it's fine; we move on."

With the defeat, Burns fell to an 0-5 run. His last win was a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in 2023. Although not in his best form in recent years, Burns did manage to reach the pinnacle of the sport. In 2021, Burns fought for the UFC welterweight title after going on a 6-0 tear that put him as one of the best fighters in the world at 170 pounds. Unfortunately for him, he fell short to then champion Kamaru Usman. Burns retires with wins over top-notch opposition, including, Masvidal, Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson, and others.

As far as what's next, Burns would like to focus on teaching and managing fighters.

"I still have a lot of challenges that I have to go through," Burns said. "I want to become an MMA manager, I think. I think I can do a great job. I know how to make a career. I want to help these guys in jiu-jitsu. I never want to open a gym, but I have a very close friend of mine, Vagner Rocha, who's changing a lot of kids' lives, and that's what I want to do. It's not teaching kids martial arts, but it's changing those guys' future. I'm going to open up a gym soon in South Florida. I'm going to become an MMA manager. I'm going to take care of my family and my kids, my wife."