Gilbert Burns Announces Retirement From MMA At UFC Winnipeg

Gilbert Burns has just announced his official retirement from professional MMA immediately after suffering a TKO loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg on April 18th, 2026. It comes after an incredibly long career across both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, with much of it spent at the very top of those sports. He was already an […]

The post Gilbert Burns Announces Retirement From MMA At UFC Winnipeg appeared first on Jitsmagazine.com.

Gilbert 'Durinho' Burns, a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, has announced his retirement from Mixed Martial Arts following his recent loss to Sean Brady at UFC Winnipeg. The decision came after a first-round submission defeat via guillotine choke, prompting Burns to declare himself "done with MMA" and express a desire to focus on his family and "other things." This marks the end of a significant chapter for one of BJJ's most successful crossovers into the professional MMA world.\n\nBurns' career in combat sports was built upon an exceptional foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A multiple-time IBJJF World Champion at black belt, securing titles in 2010, 2011, and 2013, he also claimed the No-Gi World Championship in 2009 and earned a silver medal at ADCC in 2011. Under the tutelage of Rafael Fofitio, 'Durinho' established himself as one of the most formidable grapplers of his generation before making the transition to MMA in 2012, joining the UFC roster in 2014.\n\nThroughout his MMA tenure, Burns consistently showcased his elite grappling skills, which were a cornerstone of his success, including a run to the UFC Welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman. His retirement from MMA closes a chapter for a fighter who brought high-level BJJ to the forefront of the sport's biggest stage, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished grapplers to transition successfully into professional fighting.