Gilbert Burns isn’t setting a timeline for retirement yet but after 4 straight losses ‘the results got to be there’

“These guys are the highest level in the division. So I’ve been doing a lot of good things too but the results weren’t there.”

Coming back from those losses and preparing for UFC Winnipeg, Burns sat down to have a heart-to-heart with his coaches to ensure he was making the right decision to compete again.

His passion for fighting never wavered but Burns knows there are a lot of fighters who stick around well past their expiration date and he’s never wanted that for himself or his family.

“[I told all the coaches] I still think I can do this. I still want to do this,” Burns said. “I don’t need to do this. I’m set but I want to do this. I still believe it. So let’s get back to sparring, let’s get back to training. Before you get a date, let’s get back to sparring, let’s grapple a lot, let’s wrestle a lot. You want to get in good conditioning, great shape and that’s what I did. As I was sparring, I got back to having fun a little bit. Not just sparring for the fight but sparring a little bit before and having fun with this, grappling and everything and then it got to a point where I still had fun doing this. Not just pressure ‘I’ve got to win!’ No, honestly, the way I’m going into this fight, I’m way more confident but all the pressure is on freaking Mike Malott.

“I’m telling you. I’m 40 this year. I had a good career already. I’m going to Canada. I’m going to have fun. I’m going to go out there to do my thing. For sure, I want to win. For sure it’s a must-win but I’m not bringing all that heavy baggage that I’ve got to win. No, I’m going out there to do my best, showcase my skills. I do believe it’s a good matchup. It’s nothing easy but it is a good matchup and I’m putting all the pressure on this guy.”

Outside of fighting, Burns is busier than ever before.

He’s preparing to open a gym in Florida — something Burns honestly never thought would happen — and that’s on top of coaching at Kill Cliff, doing podcasts and analyst work while also raising a family with three sons.

In theory, Burns could walk away from fighting tomorrow and he’d be completely satisfied with the resume he’s put together but he’s not setting a time limit on how much longer he plans to compete. Instead, he’s following a similar path as retired welterweight Matt Brown, who decided to call it a career after receiving a fight offer from the UFC and not feeling that same level of anticipation and excitement as he did in the past.

“I do have a lot going on outside of fighting but I like to fight but the results got to be there,” Burns said. “I still plan on doing a couple more but I’m playing it by ear just like Matt Brown. I heard that interview and I was looking to say it’s exactly like that. I cannot put a date. When I’m 36 [I’ll retire]. No, you’ve got to go and when the guys call you and [say] ‘do you want to fight this guy?’ and if I don’t feel it, I’m done.

“It’s not a date. It can be any moment from now on. But I do believe April 18, I’m putting a great performance on there, I’m training my butt off. No stone unturned for this camp. I’m putting everything [into it]. Sparring the hardest guys. Having good rounds. Grappling, wrestling, striking, everything in my power to be out there. I know if I’m there April 18, relaxed with a good mindset, knowing there’s a little bit of pressure but that’s OK, we’re here. Get in the octagon, feel a little bit, let that pressure go, let that first minute go and feel at home, I know I can get a win.”

Burns also believes there’s going to be plenty riding on this fight for Malott, who has long been tabbed as the next big thing coming out of Canada but this is definitely his biggest test to date.

“I’ve done a lot of main events. This is your first main event,” Burns said about Malott. “That’s your hometown. You’ve going to try to get in the rankings. It’s all on you. Let’s go. That’s where my mind’s at.

“I’m still on that level. I hope everything goes my way and we get a good win and then kind of relax. Then we’ll see what’s next.”