The UFC is back in Winnipeg and longtime welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is set to put a rising Canadian star to the test.
On Friday, a welterweight bout between Burns (22-9) and Mike Malott (13-2-1) was announced as the main event of UFC Winnipeg, which takes place at Canada Life Centre on April 18. This marks the UFC’s return to Manitoba’s capital for the first time since 2017.
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Burns – still holding on to the No. 11 spot in the UFC’s official rankings – heads into enemy territory on a career-worst slump having lost four straight fights. The one-time title challenger was recently knocked out by Michael Morales, adding on to a skid of losses against top names Sean Brady, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad. With his 40th birthday coming up in July, this is likely a do-or-die matchup for “Durinho.”
Malott has won his past three fights, including an important decision win over Kevin Holland this past October. Overall, Malott is 6-1 in the UFC and looks to defeat Burns to establish himself as a UFC title contender, something Canada has been begging for in recent years.
No other bouts have been made official for April 18.
The last time the UFC was in Winnipeg, Canada Life Centre was known as Bell MTS Place, and the event was headlined by Rafael dos Anjos scoring a decision win over Robbie Lawler.
