Gilbert Burns finds himself at a critical juncture as he heads into UFC Vegas 106, having suffered three consecutive losses—a first in his 13-year professional career. He views his upcoming Saturday bout against the highly-touted, undefeated (17-0) welterweight Michael Morales as the perfect stage to initiate a dramatic, movie-esque resurgence.
Burns is set to headline the UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas. The fight was initially slated for UFC 315 in Canada but was moved. “Durinho” mentioned that the date had been pushed back multiple times before, shifting through several locations before finally landing at the UFC APEX.
Burns commented that the delays proved beneficial, stating it “gave me more time to prepare and study this guy.”
Since early 2020, Burns has maintained a demanding fight schedule, competing frequently against the sport`s top names, including challenging then-champion Kamaru Usman. Over this period, the decorated jiu-jitsu world champion compiled a 5-5 record. His recent string of defeats, capped by a decision loss to Sean Brady in September 2024, led to some candid and difficult conversations about his path forward.
Following the Brady loss, jiu-jitsu veteran Vagner Rocha, who had previously cornered fighters like Burns, reached out. Burns described Rocha`s feedback as a “black and white, hard honest talk, speaking truths that I needed to hear. It was hard to listen.” Rocha expressed a willingness to partner with Burns again, but only with full dedication from both sides. This re-established collaboration has significantly impacted Burns` training, leading to a renewed focus on jiu-jitsu.
This frank discussion triggered several internal adjustments within Burns` team and training regimen, helping him move past the disappointment of his last performance.
Reflecting on the Brady fight, Burns admitted to key errors: “I didn’t make weight well, I didn’t recovered well, I fought with no energy. It wasn’t that ‘Durinho’.” While acknowledging that losses to Belal Muhammad (due to injury) and Jack Della Maddalena (knocked out while ahead) were occurrences that happen in the sport, he felt the performance against Brady indicated deeper issues that required changes to ensure he could perform at his peak.
In preparation for Morales, Burns brought in Lucas Catta Preta (cousin of Vicente Luque) as his nutritionist and had Henry Hooft lead his training camp, supported by Daniel Mendes with scouting from Brazil. Having also trained with rangy fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry, Burns expressed considerable confidence heading into the planned 25-minute main event against Morales.
Detailing his strategy for the fight, Burns emphasized the necessity of a smart approach. He characterized Morales as “very athletic,” “very strong, very explosive,” and possessing unusual “length for the division” with one of the longest reaches. He anticipates Morales will be dangerous early and believes his athleticism sometimes compensates for technical gaps. Burns plans to “drown him” to neutralize his explosiveness and speed, employing strategic movement, takedowns, control, and solid defense and offense. He believes utilizing his extensive experience will be crucial for securing the victory.
Four consecutive losses are a significant challenge, especially for a fighter nearing 39, but Burns remains confident in his position within the UFC. Nevertheless, he approaches UFC Vegas 106 determined to emerge victorious. His competitive performance against Jack Della Maddalena, who recently won the welterweight belt, reinforces Burns` belief that he is only a few adjustments away from competing at the top of the division.
Burns views the Morales fight as essential for getting “back to the winning track.” He understands it may not immediately boost his ranking but highlights that Della Maddalena climbed significantly after beating him. Despite coming off a loss, Burns is confident in his ability to defeat the tough Morales.
He estimates he is “two wins away from the mix” of title contenders. He stressed that his losses have been exclusively to elite fighters: former champion Kamaru Usman, title challenger Khamzat Chimaev, current champion Belal Muhammad, current champion Jack Della Maddalena, and number one contender Sean Brady. He believes the UFC respects his willingness to face any opponent. He feels he is on the right path and that a decisive win over Morales will re-establish him in contention. He envisions winning another major fight after that as a “movie-like” moment, culminating in becoming champion. He concludes by emphasizing that making this “movie” a reality depends on his belief and hard work.
