Malott’s Rebound Reached a New Level Against Gilbert Burns
Mike Malott stopped Gilbert Burns at 2:08 of round three on April 18, 2026, in Winnipeg. The welterweight main event at Canada Life Centre marked another step in the Canadian’s recovery from a damaging earlier defeat to Neil Magny.
The setback against Neil Magny
Malott’s setback against Magny came at UFC 297 on January 20, 2024. The veteran stopped him with strikes in the third round, interrupting the momentum of a prospect competing before a supportive Canadian audience.
The defeat became part of Malott’s development rather than the conclusion of his UFC run. He returned to winning form and eventually earned another major home-country assignment against former title challenger Burns.
The rebound against Gilbert Burns
In Winnipeg, Malott controlled the more effective striking through the opening two rounds. His punches repeatedly carried greater impact, leaving Burns unable to establish the sustained momentum needed to reverse the fight.
The Canadian hurt Burns again in the third, added another knockdown and followed with ground strikes. The referee intervened at 2:08, completing a fourth consecutive victory for Malott.
A new benchmark for Malott
The performance earned a bonus and strengthened his standing among ranked welterweights. Burns then announced his retirement, giving the result additional significance beyond the winner’s immediate career progression.
Malott’s trajectory therefore includes both the late loss to Magny and the more controlled finish against Burns. The two fights illustrate distinct stages of his UFC development, with the Winnipeg victory providing a meaningful benchmark against another experienced divisional veteran.
Sources
- UFC: official Winnipeg results
- Cageside Press: event bonuses and context
- UFC: main-card report
- UFC: Malott–Magny result
