Gilbert Burns was hurt bad in his knockout loss to Michael Morales in May 2025.
Former welterweight title challenger Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) suffered a first-round TKO defeat to unbeaten sensation Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 256, and it led to a bevy of concussion-related symptoms.
Advertisement
“The Michael Morales one was the weird one. I wasn’t out, but I felt and it got swollen very big,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “He hit me with the overhand to the left side and it was super swollen the day of, then the next day bigger. Then I was good for a week or so then I got a flight to Vegas and on the flight it kind of came back. My head was exploding when I got there. I went to the P.I. and still had a concussion. It kept popping back at that moment. Then I had to restart the protocol again.
Ultimately Burns got through the process to get cleared, and he will fight Mike Malott (13-2-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 273 on April 18 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The Brazilian is trying to put the memory of the loss to Morales behind him and focus on the future, but he admits in the immediate aftermath of the result, which was his fourth consecutive defeat, he pondered what his fighting future looks like.
“That guy’s got a lot of power,” Burns said. “That guy hits very hard, like, ‘Oh my God.’ I tried to get my balance and my balance was off. I couldn’t do much. He sprinted to me and I just had to cover up. Then after the fight I was feeling better, then I watched it and I was like, ‘Man, that guy hit me hard.’ Then I got a freaking (hematoma) like Joanna (Jedrzejczyk). At one moment I thought, ‘Man, this sport is not for me anymore. I’m a freaking quitter. I’m done.’ Then I rewatched the fight and I was like, ‘OK, that guy hits freaking hard.’ That guy, I think he’s going to be a 185er soon.”
Advertisement
Burns said he has made some changes to his preparation for Malott and is “working a lot to be confident this fight.” At 39, this could be his potential final opportunity at the main event scene and highest level at 170 pounds, so it’s prudent he gets back on track.
Despite the concussion-related issues, Burns said he’s been ready to fight since late 2025, so at this point he is only looking ahead.
“He was huge when I fought him,” Burns said of Morales. “He looked like Gregory Rodrigues. He hit me so hard he gave me a concussion. It’s part of the game, but that guy is a freaking monster. … I was ready to come back last year. I knew it was going to be Kevin Holland or Mike Malott, the winner, and Mike Malott ended up winning. It was just a matter of getting the date and everything set. I’ve been healthy and trying to come back.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Gilbert Burns mulled retirement after concussion from Michael Morales
