The UFC Fight Night 273 main event Saturday, represented a changing of the guard.
Canada’s Mike Malott hit a new peak in his career, finishing perennial contender Gilbert Burns, who announced his retirement following the conclusion of the bout at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Malott (14-2-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) stopped Burns (22-10 MMA, 15-10 UFC) with punches for the stoppage at the 2:08 mark of Round 3.
The opening two rounds were largely Malott’s. He seemed a step ahead of Burns, who was busted up prior to the final sequences. Burns tried to hang tough, but it appeared the years may have caught up to him. He was unable to avoid a big right hook from Malott, that marked the beginning of the end. Malott pounced and finished the fight.
Burns, 39, took off his gloves and dropped them in the cage following the bout’s conclusion.
“I think that’s it,” Burns said during his in-cage interview. “I’m content.”
If that’s it, Burns concludes a career during which UFC fans saw him grow from a raw prospect to title challenger. For years, he fought the welterweight division’s best and picked up wins over the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson and many others. Burns departs the sport on a five-fight skid.
Malott, 34, wins his fourth fight in a row during what was his first UFC headlining bout. His only UFC loss came against Neil Magny in January 2024. Malott was winning the bout handily before Magny flipped the script in Round 3 and finished the fight.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 273 results:
- Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:08
- Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jai Herbert def. Mandel Nallo via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:05
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Karine Silva unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Gauge Young def. Thiago Moises via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Marcio Barbosa def. Dennis Buzukja via knockout (punch) – Round 1:20
- Robert Valentin def. Julien Leblanc via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:22
- Gokhan Saricam def. Tanner Boser via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 4:43
- Melissa Croden def. Daria Zhelezniakova via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- JJ Aldrich def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- John Castaneda vs. Mark Vologdin declared majority draw (29-27 Castaneda, 28-28, 28-28)
- John Yannis def. Jamie Siraj via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 2:43
