UFC Winnipeg: Burns vs. Malott Results, Odds, and Predictions

Gilbert Burns secured a unanimous decision victory over Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Malott on April 18, 2026, at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The welterweight bout concluded after three rounds with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in favor of Burns, marking his return to the win column following a loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in July 2024.

Burns, a former UFC title challenger, controlled the pace throughout the fight with consistent pressure and effective striking combinations. He landed 87 significant strikes compared to Malott’s 62, according to official UFC statistics, and successfully defended all three of Malott’s takedown attempts. Malott, making his first appearance in a UFC main event, showed resilience by absorbing significant volume and landing counter strikes, particularly in the second round when he briefly hurt Burns with a left hook.

The first round saw Burns establish his jab and mix in low kicks to disrupt Malott’s timing. Midway through the frame, Burns shot for a double-leg takedown that was stuffed, but he immediately followed up with a clean overhand right that snapped Malott’s head back. Malott responded with body kicks and a spinning back fist attempt, but Burns maintained octagon control and finished the round with a flurry of punches against the cage.

In the second round, Malott found increased success with his boxing, landing a clean left hook that staggered Burns around the 3:30 mark. Burns clinched and worked for a takedown along the fence, but Malott defended and reversed position, landing several short elbows in the clinch before separating. Despite the momentary setback, Burns regained composure and began mixing in leg kicks again, limiting Malott’s mobility as the round progressed.

The final round began with both fighters trading punches at close range. Burns increased his volume, throwing combinations that included body shots and uppercuts, while Malott looked to land single powerful counters. With two minutes remaining, Burns secured a brief takedown after catching a kick, though Malott scrambled back to his feet immediately. Burns then pressed forward with punches in the final 90 seconds, and although Malott landed a late right hand, the Brazilian’s sustained output proved enough to edge the round on two of the three scorecards.

Following the decision, Burns acknowledged the challenge posed by Malott’s toughness and power. “He’s a dangerous guy, especially with that left hand,” Burns said in his post-fight interview. “I knew I had to be smart, keep the pressure, and not let him settle. I’m happy with the performance — it wasn’t perfect, but I got the win.” Malott, meanwhile, expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about his future in the division. “I felt I landed the harder shots,” he said. “I’ll go back to the gym, get better, and come back stronger.”

The victory improves Burns’ professional record to 22-6 and extends his UFC welterweight record to 14-5. At 38 years old, the Brazilian continues to remain a relevant contender in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions. Malott’s record falls to 12-2-1, with the loss marking his first defeat inside the UFC octagon after a 7-0-1 start to his promotional career.

On the preliminary card, several notable outcomes shaped the evening’s proceedings. In a bantamweight bout, Casey O’Neill defeated Luana Carolina via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) to snap a two-fight losing streak. O’Neill landed 102 significant strikes and controlled much of the fight with her volume and pace. In the flyweight division, Bruno Gustavo Silva stopped Joshua Van with a TKO at 4:12 of the first round, landing a series of punches after dropping Van with a left hook. The win marked Silva’s first UFC victory since December 2023.

a highly anticipated lightweight matchup between Benoit Saint Denis and Gabriel Miranda ended in a no-contest after an accidental head clash in the first round rendered Saint Denis unable to continue. The ringside physician stopped the fight at 2:18 of the opening frame due to a significant cut above Saint Denis’s left eye. Both fighters expressed mutual respect post-fight, with Saint Denis stating he looked forward to a potential rematch once medically cleared.

With the main event concluded, Burns now turns his attention toward potential future opponents in the welterweight division. While no official booking has been announced, analysts have suggested a rematch with former champion Kamaru Usman or a bout against rising contender Shavkat Rakhmonov as logical next steps. Malott, despite the loss, remains a promising prospect in the division and is expected to return later in 2026 after refining his defensive tactics and fight IQ.