Gilbert Burns Announces BJJ Competition Return Plans: “It’s Not Easy…”

Gilbert Burns isn’t stepping away from competition for long. Just days after announcing his retirement from professional MMA, Burns confirmed that he’ll be returning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – going back to the sport where his career first began. Before entering the UFC, Burns had already built an elite grappling resume, winning world titles in both […]

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Gilbert Burns, a top-tier UFC welterweight and highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, has publicly shared his intentions to make a return to BJJ competition. Despite the rigorous demands of his MMA career, "Durinho" is contemplating stepping back onto the grappling mats, recognizing the substantial hurdles in balancing both disciplines. His last significant BJJ appearance was at ADCC in 2015, and his impressive grappling resume includes multiple IBJJF World Championships in both gi and no-gi.

Burns specifically articulated his ambition to compete at the prestigious ADCC World Championship. He openly discussed the complexities of preparing for elite grappling tournaments while simultaneously maintaining an active and successful MMA career. He highlighted the distinct physical requirements and weight management strategies necessary for each sport, emphasizing that any return to BJJ competition would demand a dedicated training camp focused exclusively on grappling.

He also acknowledged the formidable challenge of facing current top-tier grapplers, such as Gordon Ryan, who are solely dedicated to no-gi competition. Burns recognized that competing against athletes who train grappling full-time presents a unique hurdle, requiring immense focus and preparation to be competitive at the highest level of the sport.