Gilbert Burns

Background Burns was born in Niterói, as one of three brothers. During their childhood, he and his younger brother, former UFC fighter Herbert Burns, suffered from severe attacks of asthmatic bronchitis. Upon medical recommendation to help manage the condition, they began practicing sports at the age of four, getting their first martial arts experience through karate sessions in their backyard.

Burns began his formal training at the Associação Oriente Academy in Niterói. His famous nickname, "Durinho", originated when the brothers started training at the Nova União headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Frederick was known as "Todo Duro" (roughly translated as "All Stiff")—a moniker given to him by veteran Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro due to his stiff movement style. Because Gilbert was the younger brother but still displayed remarkable toughness during sparring, "Shaolin" dubbed him "Durinho" (the diminutive form, meaning "Little Tough Guy").

Burns faced Rafael Lovato Jr. in the main event of Who's Number One on 30 April 2021 and won a unanimous decision.

He then fought against Lucas Barbosa in the main event of BJJ Stars 7 on 6 November 2021. Burns lost by submission after being caught in a rear-naked choke.

Burns faced Horlando Monteiro in his UFC BJJ debut at UFC BJJ 9 on June 4, 2026. He won the match via rear-naked choke.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career After winning the 2011 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Burns decided to make mixed martial arts his main focus and made his professional debut in January 2012.

The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil In 2012, Burns was chosen by UFC fighter Vitor Belfort to be the head grappling coach for Team Vitor on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

Ultimate Fighting Championship 2014 Burns made his debut on 26 July 2014 at UFC on Fox 12, replacing an injured Viscardi Andrade against promotional newcomer Andreas Stahl. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Return to Lightweight Burns faced promotional newcomer Christos Giagos in a lightweight bout on 25 October 2014 at UFC 179. He won the bout via submission in the first round. The win also earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

2015 Burns was expected to face Josh Thomson on 21 March 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62. However, on 26 February, Thomson pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury, and was replaced by Alex Oliveira. After arguably dropping the first two rounds, Burns rallied to win the fight via submission in the third round. This win also earned him his second straight Performance of the Night bonus.

Burns was expected to face Norman Parke on 30 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67. However, Burns pulled out of the fight due to injury in late April and was replaced by Francisco Trinaldo.

Burns faced Rashid Magomedov at UFC Fight Night 77 on 7 November 2015. After getting knocked down multiple times during the bout, he lost the first fight via unanimous decision, marking his first loss in his MMA career.

2016 Burns next faced Łukasz Sajewski on 7 July 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90. He won the fight via submission in the closing seconds of the first round.

Burns faced Michel Prazeres on 24 September 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2017 Burns was scheduled to meet Paul Felder on 11 February 2017 at UFC 208. However, Burns pulled out of the fight in mid-January citing injury.

Burns faced Jason Saggo on 16 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 116. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

In the beginning of November 2017, Burns stated he had signed a new, four-fight contract with UFC.

2018 Burns was scheduled to face Olivier Aubin-Mercier on 24 February 2018 at UFC on Fox 28. However, on 21 February 2018, both Burns and Aubin-Mercier were pulled from the card, as promotional medical team deemed Burns would be unsafe to meet lightweight upper limit of 156 Ibs limit upon his arrival at the fight week.

Burns was linked to a fight with Lando Vannata on 14 April 2018 at UFC on Fox 29. However, the pairing never materialized as Vannata was unable to accept the fight for this date/event as he was still rehabilitating a recent arm injury, instead Burns was scheduled to face newcomer Dan Moret in this event. He won the fight via knockout one minute into the second round.

Burns faced Dan Hooker on 7 July 2018 at UFC 226. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round, being finished for the first time in his MMA career.

The bout with Olivier Aubin-Mercier was rescheduled and eventually took place on 8 December 2018 at UFC 231. Burns won the fight by unanimous decision.

2019 Burns was expected to face returning veteran Eric Wisely on 27 April 2019 at UFC Fight Night 150. However, it was reported on 18 April that Wisely pulled out of the bout, citing injury. He was replaced by newcomer Mike Davis. Burns won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Burns returned to the welterweight facing Alexey Kunchenko on 10 August 2019 at UFC Fight Night 156, replacing injured Laureano Staropoli. He won the fight via unanimous decision, marking Kunchenko's first loss in his career.

Burns stepped in as a late replacement to face Gunnar Nelson, on 28 September 2019 at UFC Fight Night 160. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2020 As the first fight of his new, four-fight contract, Burns faced Demian Maia on 14 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Burns faced Tyron Woodley on 30 May 2020 in the main event of UFC on ESPN 9. After knocking Woodley down in the first round and mostly dominating the former champion throughout the fight, Burns won the fight via unanimous decision. This win also earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.

2021 As the first bout of his new five-fight contract, Burns was scheduled to face Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship on 11 July 2021 at UFC 251. However, on 3 July 2020, it was revealed that Burns tested positive for COVID-19, and he was subsequently removed from the card, and replaced by Jorge Masvidal. The title bout with Usman was rescheduled for 12 December 2021, at UFC 256. However, on 5 October 2020, it was reported Usman pulled from his bout, citing more time needed to recover from undisclosed injuries and the bout was postponed to an unknown future date. The bout with Usman took place on 13 February 2021 at UFC 258. Burns knocked Usman down early in the fight, but went on to lose the bout via technical knockout in the third round.

Burns faced Stephen Thompson on 10 July 2021 at UFC 264. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2022 Burns faced Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 on 9 April 2022. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. The fight was awarded the Fight of the Night award. Dana White later announced that Burns would get his win bonus for the fight, despite the loss.

2023 Burns faced Neil Magny on 21 January 2023 at UFC 283. He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

Burns faced Jorge Masvidal on 8 April 2023 at UFC 287. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Burns faced Belal Muhammad on 6 May 2023 at UFC 288. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

2024 Burns faced Jack Della Maddalena on 9 March 2024 at UFC 299. He lost the bout via knockout in round three.

Burns faced Sean Brady on 7 September 2024 at UFC Fight Night 242 in the main event. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

2025 Burns was scheduled to face undefeated prospect Michael Morales on 12 April 2025, at UFC 314. However, the bout was moved to 10 May 2025 at UFC 315 for unknown reasons. In turn, the bout against Morales was moved to serve as the main event on 17 May 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. Burns lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

2026 Burns faced Mike Malott in the main event on 18 April 2026, at UFC Fight Night 273. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round and laid down his gloves after the bout signaling his retirement from mixed martial arts.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu lineage Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Carlson Gracie → André Pederneiras → Rafael Barros → Gilbert Burns

Championships and accomplishments

Submission grappling

3rd Place ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship (2015 )

Brazilian jiu-jitsu Main Achievements (black belt): ) IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2010, 2013 ) CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Champion (2010 ) UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2010) 2nd place IBJJF World Championship (2009 ) 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2009 )

Main Achievements (lower belts): UFC Honors Awards 2022: President's Choice Fight of the Year Winner UFC.com Awards 2015: Ranked #3 Submission of the Year 2020: Half-Year Awards: Best Fighter of the 1HY & Ranked #4 Fighter of the Year 2022: Ranked #2 Fight of the Year

MMAjunkie.com 2021 February Fight of the Month vs. Kamaru Usman 2022 April Fight of the Month vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Mike Malott TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Malott

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss

Michael Morales TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Sean Brady Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Brady

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jack Della Maddalena KO (knee and elbows) UFC 299

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Belal Muhammad Decision (unanimous) UFC 288

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous) UFC 287

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Neil Magny Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 283

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Khamzat Chimaev Decision (unanimous) UFC 273

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Stephen Thompson Decision (unanimous) UFC 264

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kamaru Usman TKO (punches) UFC 258

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tyron Woodley Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Demian Maia TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira

Brasília, Brazil Win

Gunnar Nelson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier

Copenhagen, Denmark Win

Alexey Kunchenko Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2

Montevideo, Uruguay Win

Mike Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson

Sunrise, Florida, United States Win

Olivier Aubin-Mercier Decision (unanimous) UFC 231

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Dan Hooker KO (punches) UFC 226

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dan Moret KO (punches) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Jason Saggo KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Michel Prazeres Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg

Brasília, Brazil Win

Łukasz Sajewski Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Rashid Magomedov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Alex Oliveira Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Christos Giagos Submission (armbar) UFC 179

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Andreas Ståhl Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown

San Jose, California, United States Win

Paulo Teixeira TKO (punches) Face to Face 7

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Paulo Gonçalves KO (punch) Coliseu Extreme Fight 8

Maceió, Brazil Win

Rodolfo Coronel Submission (armbar) Mixed Submission and Strike Arts 3

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Paulo Roberto TKO (punches) Champion Pro MMA Fights 1

Salvador, Brazil Win

Vinicius Alves Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Watchout Combat Show 20

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Herels dos Santos Submission (armbar) Ichigeki: Fight Night 2012

São Paulo, Brazil Win

José Salgado Submission (rear-naked choke) Crown FC 5

St. George, Utah, United States

Pay-per-view bouts

Submission grappling record Result Rec Opponent Method Event Date