Gilbert Burns has proved he’s not just a ground specialist.
Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) is one of the most accomplished grapplers in the UFC, but the noted submission artist has proven that he’s equally adept at knocking out his opponents, too.
That was especially evident when he was matched up with fellow jiu-jitsu ace and former two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in March.
Confident he had the advantage on the feet, Burns started with a couple of strong leg kicks, followed by a snapping body kick. Maia pressured early, trying to close the gap, eventually working his way into a single leg takedown.
Burns immediately latched onto a leg lock, using the submission attempt to work his way back up, but Maia was able to grab a hold of his back and drag him back down to the mat.
Maia briefly transitioned to mount, but Burns slid out and, just seconds later, Burns countered a Maia jab with a beautifully-timed left hook that sent Maia crashing to the canvas. Burns then followed up with an array of ground strikes until the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.
He will return to action this Saturday, when he faces former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the UFC on ESPN 9 headliner. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
Before he faces Woodley, relive Burn’s finish over Maia in the video above.
UFC on ESPN 9 free fight: Relive Gilbert Burns' first-round finish of Demian Maia in Brasilia
