UFC free fight: Gilbert Burns hands Demian Maia first stoppage loss since 2009

Gilbert Burns had an impressive 2020 that turned him into a title challenger.

Burns (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) picked up two impressive victories over established opposition, beating former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and former UFC title challenger Demian Maia. The win over Maia back in March 2020 kicked off the calendar run of back-to-back “Performance of the Night” wins.

Burns became the first person to stop Maia since 2009, scoring a first-round TKO in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 170. He was was also just the second fighter ever to finish Maia, and the first to do it at welterweight.

It was a solid performance that led to a fight with Woodley, which Burns won by decision, and then shortly after was awarded a title fight against Kamaru Usman. Burns tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the fight and was ineligible to fight in their July 2020 pairing, and Jorge Masvidal ended up stepping on short notice and lost to Usman.

Now, almost a year later, Burns is scheduled to challenge for the UFC welterweight title once again. He headlines UFC 258 this Saturday in Las Vegas against Usman at the UFC Apex.

You can watch Burns’ stoppage win over Maia above.