Ex-UFC title challenger grimaces in pain as he taps out to a nasty heel hook in BJJ match

Gilbert Burns has suffered his first defeat in UFC BJJ.

The former welterweight mixed martial artist is no longer pursuing gold in the UFC, having called time on his career inside the cage earlier this year.

Burns retired after being knocked out by Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Winnipeg. But like many who walk away from the sport, ‘Durinho’ did not quit competing entirely.

He has fought three times since his MMA retirement. While things started well outside the Octagon, Burns has now lost two outings in a row after what happened on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

Burns won his first match post-retirement. ‘Durinho’ stayed under the UFC banner as part of the promotion’s BJJ brand, submitting Horlando Monteiro in June to snap his five-fight losing skid in combat sports.

After having his hand raised for the first time since 2023, the former welterweight title challenger turned his focus to another debut.

In September, Burns lost to Khamzat Chimaev in Real American Freestyle, suffering a tech fall setback against a man he pushed all the way in a three-round UFC brawl five years prior.

After an unsuccessful first RAF appearance, Burns returned to more familiar ground by competing in UFC BJJ for the second time on Thursday night at the Meta Apex.

The 40-year-old MMA veteran is a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, having become an IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (gi and no-gi), CBJJ Brazilian Champion, UAEJJF World Pro Champion, European Open medalist, and ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship medallist.

But it was 2020 IBJJF American National No-Gi champion Gabriel Almeida who had his hand raised at UFC BJJ 12 after locking in a nasty heel hook with just under 30 seconds of round one remaining.

From the source Heel hook from HELL by Gabriel Almeida 🔥 #UFCBJJ12 | LIVE NOW on @UFCFightPass https://t.co/YYItMDI6Ve

Burns has already addressed the loss in a post on social media.

“Humbled on winning or defeat, shoutout to my opponent, be back better real soon,” the former UFC star wrote on X.