On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC Winnipeg

TL;DR

Mike Malott scored a TKO victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC Winnipeg, marking a significant milestone in his career. This win positions Malott for potential top 15 ranking and future championship opportunities.

Key points

Mike Malott won his first UFC main event.
Malott defeated Gilbert Burns by TKO in the third round.
The victory positions Malott for a top 15 ranking.
Burns announced his retirement after the loss.
Future matchups are being discussed for other Canadian fighters.

Mentioned in this story

Winnipeg

Mike MalottGilbert BurnsUFC Fight Night

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 18: Mike Malott reacts after a TKO victory against Gilbert Burns of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Mike Malott passed the test in his first-ever UFC main event.

The Canadian contender scored the biggest win of his career Saturday at UFC Winnipeg, outworking one-time welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns for two rounds before emphatically putting him away with a knockout combination in the third. With the win, Malott not only announced himself as a fighter worthy of a top 15 ranking, he also sent the esteemed Burns into retirement. Now, what is Malott’s path to a championship opportunity?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and special guest Jay Anderson of Cageside Press discuss how much Malott’s headlining win raised his ceiling and whether he can lock in a another veteran opponent next in his quest for gold. Additionally, future matchups are made for Malott’s fellow Canadians Charles Jourdain and Jasmine Jasudavicius, who also picked up important wins, the resurgent Jai Herbert, intriguing featherweight prospect Gauge Young, and more.

All that plus a healthy heaping of picks from the listeners.

Listen to the UFC Winnipeg edition of On To the Next One. Audio-only versions of the podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, , and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Q&A

What did Mike Malott achieve with his win at UFC Winnipeg?

Mike Malott secured a TKO victory over Gilbert Burns, marking his first main event win and positioning him for a top 15 ranking.

What are the potential next matchups for Mike Malott after UFC Winnipeg?

Following his victory, discussions are ongoing about Malott's next opponent, potentially a veteran fighter as he seeks a championship opportunity.

How did Gilbert Burns' loss at UFC Winnipeg impact his career?

Gilbert Burns' defeat to Mike Malott has led him to announce his retirement from professional fighting.