The battle between Burns vs. Malott will take place on April 18, 2026, at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The excitement around the UFC fight night has attracted a lot of individuals worldwide, including Neosurf casinos users. This battle will witness the return of high promotional media coverage to Winnipeg. This was once seen in 2013 when Rashad Evans beat Dean Henderson in the UFC 161 match.
Burns is a force on his own, as he is the former title challenger and currently ranks 11th in the welterweight division. Malott, on the other hand, will be coming into this battle to extend his winning run to 4 straight wins. This combination makes this UFC Fight Night matchup a battle to boost ego and show supremacy. It is going to be one of the most anticipated matchups in the 2026 UFC April Calendar.
When Is the Next UFC Fight Night Featuring Gilbert Burns?
Gilbert Burns will be featured in his next UFC Fight Night on Saturday, the 18th of April, 2026, at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he will be fighting Canadian Mike Malott. This match-up will begin with early prelims as usual at 5 pm ET/2 pm PT, main prelims at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT, and the main card to start at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, all available on UFC Fight Pass.
For fans outside North America, you can still catch the main card at 1 am BST (UK), 2 am CET (Central Europe), and 10 am AEST (Australia) on April 19.
Saturday, the 18th day of April, 2026, Fight Night also holds a lot more for fans, including top matches like
- Flyweight contenders Jasmine Jasudavicius (ranked No. 6) and Karine Silva (ranked No. 9) clash in a division-shaping women’s fight.
- Heavyweights Tanner Boser and Gokhan Saricam collide in a fan-friendly power matchup.
- Melissa Croden vs. Daria Zhelezniakova at bantamweight.
- Choi Dong-hun and André Lima in a flyweight showdown.
Gilbert Burns Next Fight — Fighter Overview
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Gilbert “Durinho” Burns is one of the most accomplished UFC welterweight fighters and also an IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion in both gi and no-gi formats, a CBJJ Brazilian Champion, UAEJJF World Pro Champion, and an ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship medallist. He saw explosive success in his career at the early stages when he defeated Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson, and Jorge Masvidal in succession.
He later went ahead to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 258, dropping Usman in the opening round. He later lost the match via TKO in the third round. This was a performance that confirmed him as a genuine elite-level competitor. But the year after that, the match became difficult for him. He lost 4 consecutive times to the likes of Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, Sean Brady, and Michael Morales, all ranked as welterweight fighters.
His most recent fight with Morales in May 2025 ended in a first-round TKO stoppage from the brutal Morales. Despite this run, Gilbert Burns still holds the No. 11 spot in the official UFC welterweight rankings, a testament to the quality of opposition he has faced.
Now he is stepping into the ring once more at the age of 39 to show the welterweight world that he is still strong enough and can stop the raging Mike Malott, who is currently on a three-win streak.
Key Stats: UFC Record: 22-7 | Reach: 74 inches | Stance: Orthodox | Significant Strike Accuracy: 52% | Takedown Average: 1.8 per 15 min | Submission Wins: 9
Mike Malott — Fighter Profile
Born on November 7, 1991, Mike “Proper” Malott is a Canadian UFC fighter whose backstory tells its own story. At the start of his career, he took a years-long break from MMA competition to sharpen his grappling, earn his BJJ black belt, and develop as a coach, working corners for UFC fighters including Urijah Faber and Cody Garbrandt at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento. He later returned to the rings in 2020 and earned a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021.
He has an impressive record of 6-1, with his defeat coming against Neil Magny in January 2024. This was a fight Mike Malott dominated for the most part before running out of gas in the third round. Since that loss, Malott has been unstoppable in the ring, holding on to a three-fight winning streak currently.
In October 2025, Malott won with a unanimous decision in his most recent UFC fight with Kevin Holland in Vancouver. This result positioned him as a legitimate threat in the welterweight top fifteen. Before that, he stopped Charles Radtke via knockout at UFC 315 in May 2025, earning another performance of the night bonus to add to his growing collection.
On April 18th 2026, he will be fighting for the first time in front of a Canadian crowd as a UFC main event headliner. At 34, he is entering the prime years of his career, and this fight against Burns represents the biggest opportunity of his professional life.
Key Stats: UFC Record: 6-1 | Reach: 74 inches | Stance: Orthodox | Finish Rate: 83% | Performance of the Night Bonuses: 2
Head-to-Head Insight & Prediction
This UFC fight presents two men with elite grappling credentials, powerful knockouts, and experience on their side. It can be said that when it comes to feet work, Burns has been the more refined striker with better boxing fundamentals between the two fighters. However, Malott is a black belt who has shown excellent submission awareness and controlled grappling exchanges.
The recent streak of losses for Burns also shows signs that he may be losing his touch, the complete opposite of Malott, who is coming into the fight with a 3-game winning streak. This alone will boost the confidence of Malott, giving him an advantage over his opponent before the fight starts. However, this confidence may also be his downfall, as Burns is coming into the ring with everything on the line just to prove he is a fighter worthy of his ranking in UFC.
On this ground, one will predict a tight fixture between these two, and the final decision may lean toward Malott by late stoppage or decision. Burns remains dangerous at any moment in a UFC fight, and his experience in pressure situations should never be discounted. But the momentum, age curve, and home advantage all point toward Malott imposing his will over the course of three rounds and earning the biggest win of his UFC fight career.
| Criteria | Gilbert Burns | Mike Malott |
| Striking | Sharper hands, more UFC experience | improving, genuine power |
| Grappling | ADCC medalist, IBJJF World Champion | BJJ black belt, strong wrestling |
| Experience | title shot, elite opposition | developing, 7 UFC fights |
| Momentum | 3-fight win streak, home crowd | 4-fight losing streak |
| Age/Peak | 34, likely entering prime | 39, likely past peak |
UFC Fight Night Context & Event Overview
UFC Fight Night events consist of fight cards; they serve a function that pay-per-view events cannot. They shape the contender picture, rankings shift, prospects announce themselves. The April 18th, 2026, UFC fight night in Winnipeg will be one that decides the future standings of both fighters in the welterweight division. It will not only be a battle of two opponents wanting to imprint their names on the walls of UFC. It will be a fight that determines the career stands of both fighters.
A win from Malott will see a firm shift of his UFC ranking into the welterweight top ten. This will lead to a potential matchup with a ranked opponent, boosting his career significantly. It also increases his profile, making him the highest Canadian welterweight in the UFC, opening doors for deals and ambassadorships from various brands.
For Gilbert Burns, a victory on this UFC Fight Night would be one of the most remarkable reversals in recent welterweight history, halting a four-fight losing streak with a win over a rising contender, at 39, in enemy territory. It would re-establish him as a credible top-fifteen UFC fighter and silence questions about whether his best days are behind him.
Beyond the main event, this UFC Fight Night in Canada strengthens the promotion’s relationship with the Canadian market and continues a trend of high-quality Fight Night cards in non-traditional UFC cities.
How to Watch Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott
Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.ca, with a maximum of eight tickets per transaction.
These tickets come with a maximum of eight tickets per transaction. For fans who want to stream live, the ESPN+ app (US) and UFC Fight Pass offer the most comprehensive coverage.
Coverage options for this UFC Fight Night vary by region. Here is a full breakdown:
| Region | Main Card | Prelims | Early Prelims | Platforms |
| Canada | 8 pm ET/5 pm PT | 6 pm ET/3 pm PT | 5 pm ET/2 pm PT | Sportsnet, TVA sports, UFC fight pass |
| United States | 8 pm ET | Included in the full event | Included in the full event | ESPN+ |
| United Kingdom | 1am BST(April 19) | None | None | TNT Sports, discovery+ |
| Australia | 10 am AEST (April 19) | None | None | UFC fight pass, Kayo sports |
FAQ
When is Gilbert Burns’ next fight?
Gilbert Burns’ next fight is going to take place on the 18th of April 2026. It is set to be the main event of UFC Fight Night 273.
Where is UFC Fight Night taking place?
This UFC Fight Night takes place at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is the UFC’s first visit to Winnipeg since December 2017, making it a significant event for Canadian MMA fans.
Who is Mike Malott fighting next?
Mike Malott will be facing off against Gilbert Burns for one of the biggest fights of Malott’s career. It is also going to be his first UFC main event as a headliner.
How can I watch UFC Fight Night live?
For fans in Canada, you can watch it live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports at 8 pm ET, while fans from the US can watch on ESPN+. UK fans can watch on TNT Sports or discovery+ at 1 am BST on 19th April 2026.
What are Gilbert Burns’ recent results?
Burns is currently on a losing streak, with his recent loss coming from a first-round TKO against Michael Morales in May 2025. He also lost in matches with Sean Brady, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad.
What are Mike Malott’s recent performances?
Mike Malott is currently on a three-fight winning streak, hoping to extend it. He won his most recent fight against Kevin Holland in October 2025. He holds an impressive 6-1 record with a finish rate above 80%.
How could this fight affect UFC rankings?
A victory from Mike Malott will see him into the top ten ranking of UFC, letting him face other high-ranking fighters. On the other hand, Burns’ victory will help him revive his status at No. 11.