The UFC makes a return to Winnipeg for the first time in almost 10 years as Canadian fans prepare for a fight night full of action.
The last time the biggest MMA promotion visited ‘The Peg’ was December 2017, when Rafael dos Anjos comfortably defeated Robbie Lawler by unanimous decision after a five-round welterweight bout.
This year will also have a 170-pound headliner, which features Gilbert Burns on the search for redemption in enemy territory against one of the country’s favourites, Mike Malott.
Here is everything you need to know about the main event, as well as three other contests that will pick up your interest.
Burns plans to end losing streak
Once a title challenger, ‘Durinho’ has gone downhill ever since 2023 as the newest set of competition has managed to conquer the Brazilian.
Burns was last victorious at UFC 287 in the co-main event, where he retired Jorge Masvidal in Miami, winning by unanimous decision.
The 39-year-old is currently on four consecutive losses, which include defeats to Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, both of whom became UFC Welterweight Champions in their next fight.
The BJJ black belt has not fought since May 2025, when he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Michael Morales.
While he is on a gradual decline, Burns has far more UFC experience than his opponent, having been with the organisation since 2014.
The Rio-born mixed martial artist holds very credible victories against former 170-pound champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson.
With 22 victories in his MMA career, the #11 contender has picked up six KO/TKO wins and nine submissions, causing all sorts of problems for his foes.
The thoughts of retirement may be creeping up even more for Burns, unless he is victorious at the Canada Life Centre, which will likely keep him in the welterweight rankings.
Malott aims to enter the top 15
It’s a first UFC headliner for the 34-year-old, who has the task and pressure of delivering an impressive display in his home country.
The Canadian is currently on a three-fight win streak with his last victory coming against Kevin Holland by unanimous decision.
That particular win placed him in the top 15 at 170 pounds until he was eventually knocked out after multiple shake-ups in the rankings.
‘Proper’ has only been defeated once in the UFC, where he was on the wrong end of Neil Magny’s comeback win at UFC 297, losing by third-round TKO.
Until recently, the 34-year-old has been a fighter who doesn’t plan to go the distance, as he’s only won two decisions.
Malott has faced UFC veterans before, as mentioned, defeating Holland, Trevin Giles, and Mickey Gall.
The Burlington-born fighter has 11 finishes on his record, which consists of five knockouts and six submissions throughout his 15-year career.
A spot just outside the top 10 of the welterweight rankings will be a stronger position for Malott to be seen as a contender.
Three other fights to watch at UFC Winnipeg
Kyler Phillips vs Charles Jourdain
The co-main event is a featherweight matchup which sees two fighters just outside the top 15, hoping to get an opportunity at the rankings in their next bout.
Phillips is on back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Rob Font and Vinicius Oliveira as he’s eyeing redemption in Winnipeg.
Jourdain is on back-to-back submission wins over Davey Grant and Victor Henry, looking to extend his win streak with another stoppage win.
If this battle goes the distance, it’s very likely that ‘Matrix’ has taken home the victory, but a finish will most likely see ‘Air’ as triumphant.
Mandel Nallo vs Jai Herbert
A debutant looks to make a good first impression when he goes face-to-face with an experienced English UFC fighter.
Nallo made his way into the organisation on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), earning a contract after knocking out Samuel Silva in the first round.
Herbert is hoping to return to the win column after a nearly 1-year absence, during which he lost by split decision to Chris Padilla at UFC London.
There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Canadian newcomer, who holds a 100% finish rate, but Herbert’s top-level experience could prove to be the difference.
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Karine Silva
Two women’s flyweight contenders battle it out for a chance to gain closer to the top five of the rankings in their quest for a title shot.
Jasudavicius was close to championship contention until her five-fight win streak ended with a first-round TKO loss to Manon Fiorot at UFC Vancouver.
Silva is also looking to bounce back as she suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Maycee Barber in her last bout, hoping to climb back up the rankings.
Canada’s own prefers to go the distance in her battles as that’s where she is more victorious, but ‘Killer’ always looks for a finish and will try to silence in Manitoba.
