Gilbert Burns Retires From UFC After 12-Year Career
Gilbert Burns Retires From UFC After 12-Year Career...
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Tuesday, ending a 12-year professional career. The 39-year-old Brazilian fighter made the surprise announcement on social media, citing lingering injuries and a desire to focus on coaching.
Burns (22-7) was a former UFC title challenger and ranked No. 6 in the welterweight division at the time of his retirement. His decision comes just three months after his last fight, a unanimous decision loss to rising star Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 in March.
The news is trending across combat sports circles as Burns was one of the UFC's most active and respected veterans. Fans and fellow fighters flooded social media with tributes, including messages from UFC stars like Kamaru Usman and Charles Oliveira.
Burns told ESPN he'd been considering retirement since 2025 but wanted to complete his contract. "My body's been through enough wars," Burns said. "It's time to help the next generation at my gym in Florida."
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt turned pro in 2012 and joined the UFC in 2014. He challenged Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in 2021, losing by third-round TKO in what became Fight of the Year.
UFC President Dana White praised Burns in a statement, calling him "one of the toughest guys to ever step in the Octagon." Burns retires with 15 UFC appearances and wins over notable opponents including Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson, and Jorge Masvidal.
Burns said he plans to continue working as a UFC analyst for Brazilian television while developing fighters at his Burns Brothers training center near Miami. His retirement leaves the welterweight division without one of its most entertaining action fighters.
The announcement comes during a wave of veteran UFC retirements in 2026, following similar decisions by former champions Stipe Miocic and Joanna Jędrzejczyk earlier this year. MMA analysts suggest the UFC's increasingly demanding schedule may be accelerating career timelines for older fighters.
