After retiring, Gilbert Burns returns to the UFC in a new modality; find out why.

Durinho focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

After officially announcing his retirement from MMA following the defeat for Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Winnipeg in April, Gilbert Durinho He seems ready to return to competition, but not in the way many fans are used to seeing him. According to reporters Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin from the American website 'MMA Fighting', the jiu-jitsu black belt is the latest athlete to sign a contract to compete in UFC BJJ.

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According to the publication, although there is still no opponent or specific date for his debut in the sport, the Rio native is expected to officially return to his roots later this year. The organization headed by Dana White has shown increasing interest in expanding into the world of grappling.

Gilbert Burns has inked a deal with UFC BJJ less than a month after retiring from MMA

📰 https://t.co/4bTaT9ZEjG pic.twitter.com/I56K5G8Jgc

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 7, 2026

Before dedicating himself full-time to Mixed Martial Arts and reaching the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Brazilian was already one of the top jiu-jitsu fighters. He was a black belt world champion in Jiu-Jitsu in 2011, in addition to winning the same tournament without a gi in 2010.

Gilbert Burns built a great career in MMA.

Gilbert Durinho weighing in at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @gilbert_burns

Despite starting his UFC career as a lightweight (up to 70,3 kg), it was in the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg) that he excelled. With victories against names of the caliber of Tyron woodley, Demian Maia e Jorge masvidalThe Brazilian experienced his peak when competing for the category title against Kamaru Usman, in February 2021. He had some good moments, like when he knocked the Nigerian Nightmare down in the first round, but ended up being knocked out early in the third round.