Gilbert Burns Signs With UFC BJJ After MMA Retirement

The move points to a full-time return to elite grappling for the former IBJJF world champion.

Overview

Multiple outlets citing MMA Fighting reported Thursday that Burns agreed to compete for UFC BJJ, and the promotion has not issued an official announcement.
His first match is expected in the coming months, with reports pointing to a possible debut in the second half of 2026 and no opponent named yet.
Burns, 39, retired from MMA after an April main event loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg, closing a UFC run that began in 2014.
He returns with high-level credentials that include the 2011 IBJJF world title and the 2010 no-gi crown, plus grappling wins over Rafael Lovato Jr., Jake Shields, AJ Agazarm, and Gleison Tibau.
UFC BJJ, a UFC-backed submission grappling league that runs shows in the Meta APEX “Bowl,” stages its next event on May 21 featuring title fights Mikey Musumeci vs. Kevin Dantzler and Cassia Moura vs. Bia Basilio.