This is the live blog for Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott, the welterweight main event for Saturday’s UFC Winnipeg card at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Burns (22-9) has his back firmly against the wall as he is mired in a career-worst slump with four straight losses dating back to 2023. The one-time UFC title challenger’s skid includes some of the best names at 170 pounds, including the undefeated Michael Morales, and future champions Jack Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad. He’s the perfect test to see if Malott is ready to be counted among the elite.
Since a loss to Neil Magny at UFC 297, Malott (13-2-1) has righted the ship, scoring consecutive victories over Kevin Holland, Charles Radtke, and Trevin Giles. Malott has emerged as one of Canada’s brightest hopes to contend for a title as he joins the legendary Georges St-Pierre and longtime contender Rory MacDonald as the only fighters to headline in their native country. The pressure is on Malott to impress against Burns or risk being lost in the shuffle of a deep welterweight contender line.
Check out the Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott live blog below.
For those of you keeping score at home, sadly, it’s already a losing night for Team Canada with three wins (Charles Jourdain, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Melissa Croden) and five losses (Mandel Nallo, Julien Leblanc, Tanner Boser, Jamey-Lyn Horth, and Jamie Siraj), but Mike Malott can send this Manitoba crowd home on a high note if he does what he’s supposed to do and take Gilbert Burns’ spot in the rankings.
Malott the favorite at -255 (per FanDuel), even though he’s the one taking a step up in competition. Burns the 2-to-1 underdog at +210.
Herb Dean the third man in the cage for the main event.
Malott patiently walking Burns down and he eats a glancing low blow. All good. Malott advances with a combination, Burns defended it well. Sneaky body shot by Burns followed by a right hand. Malott scores with a well-timed uppercut. Nice counter combo from the Canadian. Malott keeping Burns at bay with his jab. Burns has a takedown stuffed. He’s throwing big punches, but can’t catch up to Malott yet.
Malott lands a right hand and Burns answers with one of his own. They both throw rights, with Malott getting the better of it. Not an overwhelming first round for Malott but he should be up on the cards.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Malott.
Burns wants to approach with kicks, but Malott’s size advantage is letting him just punch through them. Malott staying safe, sticking that jab in and avoiding Burns’ power. Burns with a Superman punch. Glancing left from Burns. He lands a more firm left hook after that. Hard jab from Malott and it looks like Burns was rattled. That might have busted Burns’ nose.
More jabs from Malott, but Burns closes the distance and lands a couple of hard punches. Neither fighter showing tight defense in this round. Malott avoids a takedown. He’s winning the volume battle on the feet. There’s another good jab from Malott. Workmanlike performance so far.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Malott. Overall, 20-18 Malott.
Burns immediately attacking with urgency. He could be willing to go out on his shield, bless him. Quick right from Burns. Malott hasn’t been too bothered by any of these shots. Speaking of shot, Burns changes levels and has another takedown stuffed. Malott’s jab continues to give Burns problems. Burns just missing. Malott doesn’t miss with a gorgeous combination that floors Burns. He’s in trouble.
Big right hand by Malott and Burns goes down. Malott swinging away for the finish and there’s the stoppage.
Official result: Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (strikes) (R3, 2:08)
Burns has left his gloves in the cage, this could be it for him.
Malott begins his post-fight interview by praising Burns, calling him “one of the greatest legends in the sport inside and outside the cage.”
Asked who he wants to fight next, Malott gets very Canadian and says he’s not the type to call anyone out. Sigh.
Huge roar from the crowd as an emotional Burns gets some mic time.
“I work so hard. I work very hard for these fights. I know Mike was going to fight at home and he was going to bring everything…” Before Burns can finish, the crowd starts chanting “Gilbert!” Scenes.
“Thank you Winnipeg, Canada, shout-out to Sean Shelby. Thank you so much Dana White, Hunter Campbell, Joe Rogan, Paul Felder, all you guys, all the security team, all the guys with the blue shirt. I work so hard, but I think that’s it. I think I had a great career. I fought so hard, I want to win so bad, but yeah, I think that’s it. I fought the best guys in the world, No. 1 pound-for-pound, a lot of guys former champions, I never said no to a fight.
“But I’m content. I always tried to challenge myself, I fought everybody.”
Burns’ family joins him for a lovely moment. Thank you, Durinho.
