Gilbert Burns - The King of UFC Welterweight Division

Gilbert Burns is an exceptional player of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. He is a three-time champion in grappling and a World Cup Gold medalist. Currently, he is at number four in the Welterweight ranking of UFC. He belongs to a middle-class family. His parents owned some land in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro. When Gilbert was 12 years old, his father made the best deal of his life with one of his customers. Burn’s father fixed a man’s car in exchange for three months of jiu-jitsu training for his boys. What a deal! Burns started jiu-jitsu training with his brothers, Herbert and Fredrick, at the age of 12.

Gilbert Burns could not afford a taxi to come to his academy. He joined Academia Associacao Oriente, which was an affiliate of Nova Uniao. He stayed with Nova until the World Championship of 2007. Burn couldn't afford the 50-cent bus fare and used to walk 50 minutes to the academy and 50 minutes home. But now he can afford a lot more than 50 cents. Hard work pays.

Burns suffered from some respiratory issues growing up. He said in an interview that he still remembers going to the hospital multiple times in a week for adrenaline shots for his breathing difficulties.

Gilbert Burns got noticed by the international community when he won a silver medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2009.

Burns managed to compete in the semifinals of the European Open in 2010. He won against the favorite contestant of the World Pro Cup Trials, Celso Vinicius. He Defeated Claudio Mattos in the World Cup Finals in Abu Dhabi and also won gold in the Brazilian Nationals. Gilbert won Gold in the World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships in 2011. After this exceptional winning streak, he joined MMA.

Burns is the third child among his siblings. Due to pulmonary disease, Gilbert Burns had to be vaccinated every month and after the doctor’s suggestions, his father admitted him to swimming school for better cardio health. Positive results from swimming motivated him to incorporate heavy exercises into his daily routine. This is one reason why he joined martial arts apart from his passion to become an international grappler and fighter.

Gilbert Burns happens to meet MMA heavyweight fighter Vitor Belfort. Belfort taught Burns punching and winning techniques. Gilbert Burns was always ready to put in whatever it takes to be an international MMA fighter. He continued his training with sheer dedication and persistent fortitude.

One day a promoter came to the academy and acquired a fighter to replace his dropped-out contestant for an amateur MMA fight on short notice. Gilbert Burns was presented with this opportunity and what do you think his answer was? It was the sheer definition of luck which is; when opportunity meets preparation, we call it luck.  He got his first MMA fight just like that which he eventually won. He started his pro career after his professional debut in January 2012.

Burns was four years old when he started training in karate. But his practice did not last long due to a lack of interest. Later, he developed his interest and joined Jiu-jitsu with all his heart and earned his brown belt in the IBJJF world championship.

Burns joined MMA in 2012, to pursue his professional career. During his career, he lost a couple of matches in 2015. However, losing a few fights never brought him down from accomplishing his purposes.

There is no shame in expressing the natural flow of emotions and yes, after losing the fight, Gilbert Burns cried many times. His crying has turned him into an MMA meme for some time. He is a very emotional guy. He works with a psychologist to control his flow of emotions. He said in an interview:

His nickname is Durinho, which means “tiny tough guy”. His brothers, Herbert and Fredrick named him while they were training at Nova together in their teen years. Gilbert Burns’ both brothers are black belts and Herbert Burns also competes in the welterweight division of UFC.

Burns has all the skills and techniques necessary to win the Brazilian jiu-jitsu combats. After taking home two gold medals from the IBJJF World Tournaments and a successful and victorious fight in 2009 with the legendary MMA fighter Felipe Vida he was awarded a "black belt" by Rafael "Fofitio" Barros. Burns is still an active grappler with a current record of 44 wins and19 losses.

Gilbert Burns made his professional MMA debut against Jose Salgado at CFC 5 in 2012. He utilised the grappling experience of jiu-jitsu and submitted Jose Salgado within 3 minutes through an outstanding RNC technique.

Burns maintained his winning streak as he achieved a 7-fight unbeaten run in the local MMA arena, all of which came in the opening frame.

At Fox 12, where he made his UFC career, Burns defeated Viscardi Andrade. He now holds a 20-5-0 UFC career. Burns was defeated by Christos Giagos at UfC 179, moving him down to lightweight. Additionally, he defeated Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson, and Tyron Woodley in three bouts to win the right to challenge Kamru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 251. Sadly, COVID-19 moved up his fight to UFC 256.

Gilbert Burns defeated Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 after recuperating from COVID-19.

This was a highly anticipated fight of UFC 258. The “Infamous Nigerian Nightmare” Kimaru Usman with the UFC record of (17-1, 12-0) has his eyes on the 13th consecutive winning streak. But this time his opponent is very strong “Gilbert Burns aka Durinho” with a UFC record of (19-3, 12-3).

Both Fighters continued their intense stare-down and ignored the referee Herb Dean’s suggestion of gloves touch. Gilbert rushed with a right hand but Usman dodged it. Burns landed some leg kicks followed by a body kick. Burns backed the attack by launching a strong right hand that put Usman on his knees.

Usman gets hurt but absorbs the jabs. Usman landed some kicks on the thighs of Burns and landed a right hand. Burns greeted Usman with a knee on the chin and Burns retaliated with three effective jabs. At the last minute of the first round, Burns tried to initiate a takedown. Before the horn blows, both fighters landed some good jabs on each other and smiled while going to their corners.

First Round Score

The trio of judges awarded: 10-9 Burns

Burns storms out of his corner and throws strong hands, Usman stumbles while trying to eat the strikes. He recovered and landed a supersonic jab on his jaws. Burns came back with a head kick. Both fighters continued attacking with jabs, kicks, and throws. Towards the end of the second round, Usman landed a huge jab that forced Burns to his knees.

Durinho got hurt while Usman continued to drill him with punches and hammer fists. Burns fall against the fence. Gilbert’s nose was bleeding but still, he managed to land some good punches. Usman came back stronger than ever and Burns took a fall. Usman mockingly asks him to stand up. Both fighters continue to roll while landing and eating punches and the second round ends.

Second Round Score

All three Judges unanimously gave: 10-9 Usman

This round begins with swift action from both sides. Burns starts the fight from the center of the stage. Usman launched a strong jab from the southpaw position that took Burns to the ground. The Nigerian Nightmare took the opportunity and opened the barrage of kicks, jabs, and hammer fists. Gilbert tried to eat the hits but fell to the ground. The Fight ended and the winning champ successfully achieved the hallmark of 13-0. Kimaru Usman won the fight by TKO (punches) at 0:34 of the third round.

It was also the most anticipated and brutal fight of UFC 273. Features Gilbert Burns (20-5 MMA) and 13-5 UFC) and Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0) UFC.

Chimaev started the fight by landing some front kicks. According to his style, he clenched and went for an early takedown. Burns resists and tries to adjust but ends up on his knees. Burns takes the back of Chimaev and lands some good punches and a kick. Both land good punches on each other.

A clean leg kick and left hook from Burns landed on Chimaev. Chimaev missed a jab and stumbled on the ground, Burns took the opportunity and landed the combo of punches. Burns got punched by the Khamzat and slipped to the ground, Khmazat took the opportunity and hit some hammer fists followed by a deadly elbow that split open the forehead of Burns. Burns got up and shot two deadly punches while the horn blew. The first round ended with a score of 10-9 for Chimaev.

It was the first fight of Khamzat Chimaev that entered the second round. The whole crowd went crazy. The second round started with the takedown attempt by Burns but Chimaev got away. A solid right hand of Burns landed on the face of Chimaev and he took a stumble, Burns took the opportunity and landed a combination of right and left hands.

Chimaev also landed some good jabs. Burns tried to take down Chimaev but was unable to move the iron legs of Chimaev. Both fighters continued to land the flurry of kicks and jabs. A picture-perfect right hand hit the left side of his face. Chimaev took a stumble and Burns landed some hammer fists and elbows on the back of his head during the last seconds of the second round. While both fighters were grappling, the sound of the horn was heard, Gilbert pushed Chimaev away and Chimaev slapped him. This might be the first round of Chimaev’s career that he lost. This round was completely dominated by Gilbert Burns. The second round ended with a score of 10-9 for Burns.

The fighters took the fight where they left it at the end of the second round. Burns shot a flurry jab and Chimaev returned it with more power. Burns tried a take-down attempt by grabbing the single leg of Chimaev, and both scrambled a bit, but Chimaev shook it off. Burns’ was bleeding from his forehead and his speed slowed. This was the longest fight of the career of Khazmat Chimaev.

No fighter has ever stood against him with that much strength and power. The fight looked nothing less than a title fight. The crowd was pumped up and was loving it. Burns slowed down and Chimaev cornered him against the fence while landing knees and punches.

Burns was bleeding badly and took deep breaths while clenching against the shoulder of Chimaev. With his left eye filled with blood from his forehead, Gilbert landed some effective jabs. Khazmat ate those jabs like a cake. After the ring of the third round, both fighters embraced each other with respect and appreciation. There was a show of great sportsmanship from both fighters. Khamzat acknowledged the skill and bravery of Gilbert Burns.

Judges anonymously gave the verdict in the favour of Khamzat Chimaev.

UFC 273: Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns Highlights

Gilbert Burns x Michael Langhi by X-COMBAT