Summary
Mike Malott defeated Gilbert Burns at UFC Winnipeg. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.
Overjoyed after achieving the biggest victory of his career by knocking out Gilbert Durinho in the main event of UFC Winnipeg, Mike Malott was unable to celebrate the triumph in front of his compatriots in the way he wanted. While celebrating, the athlete was prevented from displaying a Canadian flag by an Ultimate employee, who snatched the object from his hands, causing immediate discomfort. Days after the incident, he came forward to tell his version of the story in an interview on 'The Ariel Helwani Show' this Monday (20).
See too
According to Malott, he had been informed that he could carry the flag if he was not inside the octagon, a rule that was not applied in practice. The fighter also stated that the rudeness shown during the incident left him quite upset.
“I went to raise the flag, and I don’t know if it was a guy from the commission or who it was, but he said, ‘Oh, you’re not allowed to have it in the octagon.’ I said, ‘Can I jump to the side?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ So I jumped, and then I raised the flag. While I was pulling it up, he snatched it from my hand—he did it in a really sloppy way. He snatched it and looked at me. I was like, ‘Dude, what the hell, man? First, don’t try to act tough with me—I just fought in the cage. And second, I don’t understand what rule says I couldn’t have that flag. I came in with it,’” Malott said.
UFC officials took Mike Malott ’s Canadian flag during his post-fight celebration last night
Fighters can walk out with flags, but aren't allowed to bring them into the Octagon since they block sponsors logos, per @dannyrube pic.twitter.com/ID5g2DYoAX
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 19, 2026
Mike Malott shares details of having the Canadian flag taken away from him after his win in Winnipeg:
“I went to lift the flag, and I didn't know if it was a commission guy or who it was, but he was like, 'Oh, you're not allowed to have it in the octagon.'
I said, 'Can I jump up… pic.twitter.com/oLclRetFwt
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 20, 2026
According to businessman Daniel Rubenstein, the reason behind the UFC's decision to prohibit the use of flags inside the octagon is purely commercial. He claims the flags would prevent some of the company's sponsors from being displayed during the broadcast. Therefore, they can only be carried while the athletes walk into the arena.
Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.
Comments