Gilbert Alexander Pontes Burns (born 20 July 1986) is a Brazilian and American former professional mixed martial artist and submission grappler. He competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he was a challenger for the UFC Welterweight championship in February 2021.
Burns is an IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (gi and no-gi), CBJJ Brazilian Champion, UAEJJF World Pro Champion, European Open medallist, and ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship medallist.
He is the older brother of former UFC fighter Herbert Burns.
Contents
Background
Burns was born in Niterói, as one of three brothers. During their childhood, he and his younger brother, former UFC fighter Herbert Burns, suffered from severe attacks of asthmatic bronchitis. Upon medical recommendation to help manage the condition, they began practicing sports at the age of four, getting their first martial arts experience through karate sessions in their backyard.
Their definitive transition to Brazilian jiu-jitsu happened in 1998, after the brothers found a gi in the trunk of a car belonging to one of their father's clients. Their father worked as an upholsterer, and the car's owner, a coach named Luiz Carlos, offered the three boys three months of free BJJ lessons in exchange for repairing his car seats. Due to the family's severe financial struggles at the time, the eldest brother, Frederick, gave up his competitive career in 2003 to work and help support the household. He would later become a combat diver for the Brazilian Navy's Special Operations.
Burns began his formal training at the Associação Oriente Academy in Niterói. His famous nickname, "Durinho", originated when the brothers started training at the Nova União headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Frederick was known as "Todo Duro" (roughly translated as "All Stiff")—a moniker given to him by veteran Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro due to his stiff movement style. Because Gilbert was the younger brother but still displayed remarkable toughness during sparring, "Shaolin" dubbed him "Durinho" (the diminutive form, meaning "Little Tough Guy").
At the age of 18, Burns secured his first sponsorship, which allowed him to cover his training expenses and financially assist his family. Initially, he enrolled in college to study Physical education, but dropped out in 2007 to focus entirely on his competitive jiu-jitsu career. He subsequently relocated to Rio Claro in the state's countryside. During this period, he struggled to make rent and dealt with recurring bronchitis attacks, but was ultimately persuaded by his older brother to not abandon the sport.
Grappling career
He trained with Nova União until the 2007 World Championship, where he came in second place.
In 2009, Burns became recognized when he won the silver medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
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.
In 2011, Burns achieved his highest recognition as he won the gold medal in the 2011 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
In 2015, Burns won bronze at Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling championships (ADCC).
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.
Burns faced Horlando Monteiro in his UFC BJJ debut at UFC BJJ 9 on June 4, 2026. He won the match via rear-naked choke.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
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.
The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil
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.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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.
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.
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.
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.
Freestyle Wrestling
Burns faced Khamzat Chimaev on 18 September 2026 at RAF 13. He lost the match by technical fall in the second round.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu lineage
Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Carlson Gracie → André Pederneiras → Rafael Barros → Gilbert Burns
Championships and accomplishments
Submission grappling
3rd Place ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship (2015)
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Main Achievements (black belt):
IBJJF World Champion (2011)
IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2010, 2013)
CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Champion (2010)
UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2010)
2nd place IBJJF World Championship (2009)
3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2009)
Main Achievements (lower belts):
2nd place IBJJF World Championship (2007/2006 brown)
2nd place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2007 brown)
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Christos Giagos, Alex Oliveira, Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley
Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Third most armbar submission wins in UFC history (3)
UFC Honors Awards
2022: President's Choice Fight of the Year Winner vs. Khamzat Chimaev
UFC.com Awards
2015: Ranked #3 Submission of the Year vs. Alex Oliveira
2020: Half-Year Awards: Best Fighter of the 1HY & Ranked #4 Fighter of the Year
2022: Ranked #2 Fight of the Year vs. Khamzat Chimaev
MMAjunkie.com
2021 February Fight of the Month vs. Kamaru Usman
2022 April Fight of the Month vs. Khamzat Chimaev