
Jefferson blunt on McCarthy with Kyler a Viking
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Mike Malott defeated Gilbert Burns at UFC Winnipeg, marking his fourth consecutive win and earning a $100k performance bonus. Despite this success, he faces criticism for allegedly 'fumbling the bag.'
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - OCTOBER 17: Mike Malott poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-ins at Rogers Arena on October 17, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Fast-rising welterweight bruiser Mike Malott did everything right last weekend at UFC Winnipeg.
Well, almost everything.
Malott crushed former 170-pound title challenger Gilbert Burns in the UFC Winnipeg main event in Manitoba, winning his fourth straight and capturing a $100k post-fight performance bonus.
So why is he accused of fumbling the bag?
“He fumbled the bag,” retired UFC fighter and current UFC analyst, Din Thomas, said on Deep Waters (transcribed by MMA Junkie). “He fumbled the bag in inserting himself in the conversation of becoming a big star. He had a great performance, but you’ve got to do better than that.”
Mike Malott won his fourth straight fight by defeating Gilbert Burns and received a $100k performance bonus.
Despite his victory and bonus, Mike Malott is criticized for not capitalizing on his success in a way that some fans expected.
Mike Malott defeated former title challenger Gilbert Burns in the main event at UFC Winnipeg.

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Justin Jefferson emphasized that J.J. McCarthy must 'lock in' now that Kyler Murray is with the Vikings. McCarthy's previous season was disappointing, and Murray's arrival could jeopardize his starting position.
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“He got a finish, and he’s going to move forward,” Thomas added. “But then, if not many people are excited about you, you can’t complain if you don’t get the opportunities. You can be yourself, you can stick to your guns and be a gentleman, and be that guy, but also don’t complain if you don’t get the opportunities.”
The 34 year-old Malott improved to 14-2-1 with the victory and is expected to find a spot in the updated welterweight rankings when they get released on Tuesday. As for Burns, he called it quits after dropping his fifth straight, three of which have ended by knockout.
For more UFC Winnipeg news and notes click here.