Gilbert Alexander Pontes Burns (born 20 July 1986) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and 3rd degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt athlete.
As of 12 March 2024, he is #6 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
An IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (gi and no-gi), CBJJ Brazilian Champion, UAEJJF World Pro Champion, and European Open medallist before transitioning to MMA, Burns is an ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship medallist and currently competes in the Welterweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
He is the older brother of fellow UFC fighter Herbert Burns.
When Burns was young, his father offered to fix a customer's car in exchange for three months of jiu-jitsu lessons for all of his boys.
Burns started training at Academia Associação Oriente, an affiliate of Nova União led by Welton Ribeiro.
He was given the nickname 'Durinho' after his older brother was called 'Todo-Duro' which roughly translates as a tough guy, and the suffix -inho was added for Burns to indicate the diminutive, or a little tough guy.
2007
He trained with Nova União until the 2007 World Championship, where he came in second place.
2009
In 2009, Burns became recognized when he won the silver medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
2010
In 2010, Burns attained a high level of international success competing worldwide.
He reached the semifinals of the European Open in January; he defeated heavy favorite Celso Venicius at the World Pro Cup trials; he won the World Cup finals in Abu Dhabi against Claudio Mattos, and he won the Brazilian Nationals in May.
2011
In 2011, Burns achieved his highest recognition as he won the gold medal in the 2011 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
After winning the 2011 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Burns decided to make mixed martial arts his main focus and made his professional debut in January 2012.
2012
In 2012, Burns was chosen by UFC fighter Vitor Belfort to be the head grappling coach for Team Vitor on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.
2014
Burns made his debut on 26 July 2014 at UFC on Fox 12, replacing an injured Viscardi Andrade against promotional newcomer Andreas Stahl.
He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Burns faced promotional newcomer Christos Giagos in a lightweight bout on 25 October 2014 at UFC 179.
He won the bout via submission in the first round.
The win also earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
2015
In 2015, Burns won bronze at Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling championships (ADCC).
Burns was expected to face Josh Thomson on 21 March 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62.
However, on 26 February, Thomson pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury, and was replaced by Alex Oliveira.
After arguably dropping the first two rounds, Burns rallied to win the fight via submission in the third round.
This win also earned him his second straight Performance of the Night bonus.
Burns was expected to face Norman Parke on 30 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67.
However, Burns pulled out of the fight due to injury in late April and was replaced by Francisco Trinaldo.
Burns faced Rashid Magomedov at UFC Fight Night 77 on 7 November 2015.
After getting knocked down multiple times during the bout, he lost the first fight via unanimous decision, marking his first loss in his MMA career.
2016
Burns next faced Łukasz Sajewski on 7 July 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90.
He won the fight via submission in the closing seconds of the first round.
Burns faced Michel Prazeres on 24 September 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95.
He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
2017
Burns was scheduled to meet Paul Felder on 11 February 2017 at UFC 208.
However, Burns pulled out of the fight in mid-January citing injury.
Burns faced Jason Saggo on 16 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 116.
He won the fight via knockout in the second round.
2020
In November 2020, Burns challenged Nate Diaz to a grappling match on an upcoming Submission Underground event, but the match didn't come to fruition.
Burns faced Rafael Lovato Jr.. in the main event of Who's Number One on 30 April 2021 and won a unanimous decision.
He then fought against Lucas Barbosa in the main event of BJJ Stars 7 on 6 November 2021.
Burns lost by submission after being caught in a rear-naked choke.
