Gilbert Burns Bio
Gilbert Alexander Pontes Burns (born 20 July 1986) is a Brazilian-American professional mixed martial artist and submission grappler. Nicknamed “Durinho,” he currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As of 11 November 2025, he is ranked #12 in the UFC welterweight rankings and trains out of Kill Cliff FC in Boca Raton, Florida. He is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished grapplers to transition into modern mixed martial arts competition.
Early Life and Background
Gilbert Alexander Pontes Burns was born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he first encountered martial arts through his father. As a young boy, his father agreed to fix a customer’s car in exchange for three months of jiu-jitsu lessons for all of his sons, an arrangement that launched a lifelong path in combat sports. Burns began his formal training at Academia Associação Oriente, a Nova União affiliate led by coach Welton Ribeiro.
Through that academy, Burns was placed on a clear Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage that runs from Mitsuyo “Count Koma” Maeda to Carlos Gracie Sr., Carlson Gracie, André Pederneiras, and Rafael Barros before reaching him. It was within that gym culture that he earned the nickname “Durinho,” a diminutive form inspired by his older brother, who was called “Todo-Duro,” or “tough guy.” His older brother, Herbert Burns, would also go on to fight in the UFC, giving the family two prominent names in the sport.
Path to MMA
Burns built a celebrated grappling résumé before ever stepping into an MMA cage. He trained with Nova União through the 2007 World Championship, where he earned a silver medal, and followed it with another silver at the 2009 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The year 2010 brought a wave of international success, including a semifinal appearance at the European Open, a win over heavy favorite Celso Venicius at the World Pro Cup trials, the World Cup finals title in Abu Dhabi over Claudio Mattos, and the Brazilian Nationals crown.
His biggest breakthrough arrived in 2011, when he captured gold at the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships. That same year, he was chosen by veteran Vitor Belfort to serve as the head grappling coach for Team Vitor on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, exposing him to a wider audience. After winning the 2011 World Championships, Burns committed fully to mixed martial arts and made his professional debut in January 2012.
Gilbert Burns Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Burns launched his professional career in 2012 and quickly built a reputation as a finisher. He trained successively with Xtreme Couture, the Blackzilians, and eventually Kill Cliff FC, sharpening his striking and wrestling alongside elite American coaches. His grappling pedigree was never in doubt, but his early fights showed steady improvement in his stand-up and overall conditioning.
He made his UFC debut on 26 July 2014 at UFC on Fox 12, stepping in for the injured Viscardi Andrade against promotional newcomer Andreas Stahl and winning by unanimous decision. Later that year, at UFC 179, he submitted Christos Giagos in the first round to earn his first Performance of the Night bonus and signal his arrival on the UFC roster.
UFC Welterweight Breakthrough (2014–2019)
Burns spent his first UFC years in the lightweight division, where he produced memorable results. In March 2015, he rallied past Alex Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 62 to win by third-round submission, collecting a second straight Performance of the Night award. After a setback against Rashid Magomedov later that year, he bounced back with submissions of Łukasz Sajewski and a knockout of Jason Saggo, and he signed a new four-fight UFC contract in November 2017.
His run of finishes continued with a quick knockout of Dan Moret at UFC on Fox 29. Although he suffered his first career stoppage loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 226, he answered with a strong unanimous decision over Olivier Aubin-Mercier at UFC 231. The 2019 campaign was a turning point, as he submitted Mike Davis and decisioned Alexey Kunchenko and Gunnar Nelson, all while transitioning to the welterweight division that would define his career.
Title Contender Era (2020–Present)
The pandemic-era stretch of 2020 marked the high point of Burns’s UFC tenure. He demolished Demian Maia with a first-round technical knockout at UFC Fight Night 170, then dominated former champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns, flooring Woodley in the first round and cruising to a unanimous decision. Those performances earned back-to-back Performance of the Night bonuses and a title shot.
Scheduled to challenge Kamaru Usman at UFC 251, Burns was pulled from the card in July 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19. The delayed title bout finally took place at UFC 258 in February 2021, where he knocked Usman down early before being stopped in the third round. He returned to the win column against Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, battled Khamzat Chimaev in a Fight of the Night thriller at UFC 273, and later submitted Neil Magny and decisioned Jorge Masvidal. Recent setbacks have come against Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, Sean Brady, and undefeated prospect Michael Morales at UFC Fight Night 256 in May 2025, where he was stopped in the first round.
Driving Style and Strengths
Outside of a typical striker’s profile, Burns blends world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with increasingly sharp pressure striking. His top control, submission threats, and conditioning make him dangerous in extended exchanges, while his improved boxing has produced several recent knockouts. Operating from an orthodox stance with a 70-inch reach and elite grappling credentials, he poses problems for wrestlers and strikers alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burns’s signature performance remains his dismantling of Tyron Woodley in 2020, a win that confirmed his place among the welterweight elite. His Fight of the Night war with Khamzat Chimaev, grappling match win over Rafael Lovato Jr. at Who’s Number One, and multiple Performance of the Night bonuses further highlight a career defined by high-stakes moments.
Gilbert Burns Career Wins
Across his professional career, Gilbert Burns has compiled 22 wins against 9 losses in 31 total bouts, with finishes coming by way of 9 submissions, 4 knockouts, and 5 decisions. He has earned multiple UFC Performance of the Night bonuses, reflecting his finishing ability on the sport’s biggest stage.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Burns has racked up notable victories over Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Jorge Masvidal, Gunnar Nelson, and Neil Magny. His first UFC win came by decision over Andreas Stahl in 2014, and he followed it with quick submissions of Christos Giagos, Alex Oliveira, Łukasz Sajewski, Mike Davis, and an arm-triple choke of Neil Magny at UFC 283.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside the UFC, Burns remains an IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion in both gi and no-gi competition, a CBJJ Brazilian Champion, a UAEJJF World Pro Champion, and an ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship medallist, confirming his place among the top submission grapplers of his generation.
Gilbert Burns Family
Family Background and Fighting Lineage
Burns comes from a family with deep ties to martial arts, introduced to jiu-jitsu as a child through a trade made by his father. His older brother, Herbert Burns, is a former UFC fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, making the Burns brothers one of the notable sibling pairs in modern MMA.
Personal Life
Burns trains and resides in Boca Raton, Florida, where he represents Kill Cliff FC. He carries dual Brazilian and American ties, reflecting his training base in the United States and his roots in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro.
2025 Season Performance
Burns’s 2025 campaign has centered on a return to form inside the welterweight ranks. Originally booked against undefeated prospect Michael Morales at UFC 314, the bout was shifted to May 10 at UFC 315 and ultimately served as the main event of UFC Fight Night 256 on May 17, 2025, where he was stopped in the first round.
Despite the setback, Burns remained in the UFC’s official welterweight rankings and continued working with the Kill Cliff FC coaching staff. With a deep gas tank, world-class grappling, and years of contender-level experience, he entered the back half of 2025 positioned to rebuild momentum and chase another run at the division’s elite.