Gilbert Burns
Active 2014–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 88.0
Scouting report
Multiple-time IBJJF World Champion credentials combined with overhand rights make Gilbert "Durinho" Burns a threat at welterweight. Born in Niteroi, Brazil and training at Kill Cliff FC in Florida, Burns earned a UFC Welterweight Championship opportunity following victories over Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, and Stephen Thompson. His skill set is driven by a BJJ rating of 96 and a Boxing score of 87.
Peak ratings
By edition
Transitioning up to welterweight in 2019, Burns won three straight, submitting Mike Davis at lightweight and then outpointing Alexey Kunchenko in Uruguay and Gunnar Nelson in Copenhagen at welterweight. His BJJ world championship grappling, explosive right hand, and physical power are reflected in an 84 Boxing and 95 BJJ.
In 2020, Burns stopped Demian Maia in round one in Brasilia and dominated former champion Tyron Woodley over five rounds in Las Vegas, earning a title shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 258 where he dropped the champion before getting stopped, followed by a dominant win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264. His power hooks and wrestling control anchor his 87 Boxing and 86 Wrestling.
Burns lost a decision to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 in 2022, submitted Neil Magny in Rio at UFC 283, outpointed Jorge Masvidal in Miami, and lost to Belal Muhammad on a decision and to Jack Della Maddalena by knockout. His power punching and ground game are captured in his 86 Boxing and 96 BJJ.
Gilbert Burns, a world-champion grappler who learned to knock people down
Gilbert Burns grew up in Niteroi, Brazil, and he and his brother Herbert started jiu-jitsu in 1998 after their father, an upholsterer, repaired a coach's car seats in exchange for free lessons. He won the 2011 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship and took ADCC bronze in 2015. His nickname, Durinho, translates roughly as tough little guy. He beat Demian Maia by first-round TKO in March 2020 and Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision in May 2020, which earned him a title shot at Kamaru Usman in February 2021.
Burns, attribute by attribute
Boxing. Rated 87. He knocked down Woodley in the first round of their main event.
Kickboxing. The lowest number on his card at 82. Dan Hooker knocked him out in the first round in 2018.
Wrestling. Rated 86. He beat Alexey Kunchenko and Gunnar Nelson by decision in 2019.
BJJ. The top of the card at 96. He submitted Christos Giagos in the first round in 2014 and Neil Magny with an arm triangle in 2023.
Strength. Rated 87. He dropped Usman early in their title fight.
Durability. Rated 83. He got through his first loss, to Rashid Magomedov in 2015, after being knocked down multiple times.
Cardio. Rated 84. He went the distance with Woodley, Stephen Thompson and Jorge Masvidal.
Fight IQ. Rated 86. He stepped in on short notice to face Gunnar Nelson in September 2019 and won a decision.
BJJ at 96 is the number that defines him
BJJ is his top rating at 96. World championship gold and an ADCC medal back it up, and his wins include first-round submissions of Giagos and Magny. His 2020 edition reflects a fighter who also learned to punch. That mix is why the wins over Maia and Woodley came within three months.
Kickboxing at 82 and the knockout losses
Kickboxing is his lowest rating at 82. His losses by strikes include Hooker in 2018, Usman in the third round in 2021, Jack Della Maddalena in the third round in March 2024 and Michael Morales in 2025. Fights where he is kept at range and stopped are where his record turns.
Keep exploring
Closest welterweight profiles to Gilbert Burns, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Rafael dos Anjosbest kickboxing 88 · weakest strength 82
- Sean Bradybest wrestling 93 · weakest kickboxing 76
- Vicente Luquebest boxing 87 · weakest wrestling 77
- Khamzat Chimaevbest wrestling 98 · weakest kickboxing 80
- Welterweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Gilbert Burns's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Gilbert Burns into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Gilbert Burns is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Gilbert Burns's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.