Mike Malott defeated Gilbert Burns by TKO in the third round at UFC Winnipeg, marking a significant victory in his career. Burns announced his retirement following the match.
Key points
Mike Malott won by TKO in the third round
Gilbert Burns announced his retirement after the fight
Malott's victory positions him in the top 15 welterweight rankings
The event marked UFC's first visit to Winnipeg in nearly nine years
Malott displayed composed striking throughout the match
Mike MalottGilbert BurnsUFC Winnipeg
Mike Malott lands a big left hand against Gilbert Burns at UFC Winnipeg at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026.
(Chris Unger via Getty Images)
He received a standing ovation while making the walk for his first main event, and Canadian Mike Malott didnât let his countrymen down in the UFCâs first visit to Winnipeg in nearly nine years.
With an impressive show of composed striking, Malott (14-2-1) scored a blistering third-round technical knockout of veteran Gilbert Burns (22-10), dropping the Brazilian with a big right hand and finishing the job with a flurry of strikes on the ground. With the victory, the 34-year-old Malott declared himself a contender in the stacked welterweight division, guaranteeing himself a spot in the top 15 when the rankings come out.
Yet rather than shine a light on himself in the post-fight interview, Malott instead went the classy route of paying his respects to the former contender Burns, who took off the gloves at fightâs end and called it a career.
âIâm on top of the world right now,â Malott said. âGuys, first things first, letâs give it up to one of the legends of the sport. Inside the cage, outside the cage, this manâs a gentleman and a true warrior, Gilbert Burns. Iâve been a fan of yours for years. The utmost respect to this man, so please give a true Canadian welcome to a true MMA legend.â
In his first five-round fight, Malott was poised in the early exchanges, using an uppercut and crisp combos to do damage to the 39-year-old Burns. He also effectively shut down takedown attempts from Burns, never allowing Burns to get comfortable in the fight.
In the third round, Malott broke through. A clean left hand dropped Burns to the canvas, setting up the finishing sequence moments later. The victory was Malottâs fourth in a row and his seventh in eight UFC fights.
Q&A
What was the outcome of the UFC Winnipeg main event between Mike Malott and Gilbert Burns?
Mike Malott won the main event against Gilbert Burns by TKO in the third round.
Why did Gilbert Burns announce his retirement after UFC Winnipeg?
Gilbert Burns announced his retirement after losing to Mike Malott, marking the end of his fighting career.
How did Mike Malott perform in his fight against Gilbert Burns?
Mike Malott showcased impressive striking skills, finishing Gilbert Burns with a big right hand followed by ground strikes.
What does Mike Malott's victory mean for his ranking in the welterweight division?
With his victory over Gilbert Burns, Mike Malott is guaranteed a spot in the top 15 of the welterweight rankings.
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WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 18: Gilbert Burns of Brazil is consoled by his wife and kids after announcing his retirement following a loss against Mike Malott 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)
Gilbert Burns is consoled by his wife and kids after announcing his retirement Saturday night.
(Chris Unger via Getty Images)
âI thought there could be some success with the uppercut,â he told commentator Paul Felder. âSomething I always say is I like to prepare, not predict. You never know what heâs going to do when we get in here, but we sharpen every weapon and when we get in here we figure out which ones are necessary.â
When given the chance to call out a fighter he hoped to see next, Malott deferred.
âIâm not the kind of guy to call people out,â he said. âYou know me, man, I try to do it the proper way. Just trying to get better every time, pursue growth and greatness, and I feel like I did a pretty good job of that tonight.â
With the loss, Burns ends his UFC career on a five-fight skid. A 25-fight UFC veteran who debuted in 2014, Burns faced the whoâs who of contenders and champions throughout his career, culminating with a title shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 258 in 2021.
Though he came up short, he was a perennial top-10 staple in the division for many years and was ranked No. 11 coming into his last fight.
As chants of âGilbertâ rained down from the respectful Winnipeg crowd, Burns got emotional on the microphone afterward.
âI worked so hard, I worked very hard for this fight,â he said. âI know Mike is going to fight at home, heâs going to bring everything. I put in a great camp, you know, I sacrificed so much.â
Ever graceful in defeat, Burns said heâd look back on his career with a certain amount of pride.
âI think I had a great career,â he said. âI wanted to win so bad. I think thatâs it. I fought the best guys in the world, No. 1 pound-for-pound, a lot of guys, former champion. I never said no to a fight. I think thatâs it.
âBut Iâm content. I always tried to challenge myself, and I never say no to a fight, I fought everybody.â
In the co-main event, bantamweight Charles Jourdain made it three wins in a row with a spirited, often chaotic effort against Kyler Phillips. Having to overcome an early deficit, Jourdain brought the crowd to life in the second and third rounds using an array of flying knees and kicks.
With the victory, Jourdain has now won three straight fights, while Phillips dropped his third fight in a row.
Complete UFC Winnipeg results:
Main card
Welterweight: Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (punches) at 2:08 of R3 Bantamweight: Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Lightweight: Jai Herbert def. Mandel Nallo via TKO (punches) at 2:05 of R1 Womenâs flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Karina Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Lightweight: Gauge Young def. Thiago Moises via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Prelims
Featherweight: Marcio Barbosa def. Dennis Buzukja via KO (punch) at 1:22 of R1 Middleweight: Robert Valentin def. Julien Lelanc via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:22 of R1 Heavyweight: Gokhan Saricam def. Tanner Boser via TKO (punches) at 4:43 of R2 (punches) Womenâs bantamweight: Melissa Croden def. Darya Zheleznyakova via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Womenâs flyweight: JJ Aldrich def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) 139-pound catchweight: John Castenada and Mark Vologdin fight to a draw (majority) (29-27, 28-28, 28-28) Bantamweight: John Yaniis def Jaimie Siraj via TKO (elbows) at 2:43 of R1
