Gilbert Burns returns in style at UFC BJJ 9, calls out long list of names

Gilbert Burns bounced back in emphatic fashion at UFC BJJ 9 on Thursday, submitting Brazilian Horlando Monteiro with a rear-naked choke just 1:22 into their grappling match. The victory marked a welcome return to competition for the 39-year-old veteran, who had announced his retirement from MMA less than two months earlier following a knockout loss to Mike Malott—his fifth consecutive defeat in the Octagon.

Burns showed sharp technique from the outset, allowing himself to be taken down before reversing position and securing Monteiro's back en route to the quick finish. It was his first submission victory on the mats since defeating Rafael Lovato Jr. in a special 2021 jiu-jitsu bout, and the win appeared to lift considerable weight from his shoulders after the recent losing streak.

Elated after his hand was raised, Burns expressed enthusiasm about competing again, though he stopped short of confirming a full return to MMA. "I'm so happy," he said. "It's been a while since I've had a win, so it's so good to be here, putting my jiu-jitsu to the test." He went on to call out a lengthy list of high-level grapplers, including Anthony Pettis, Nate Diaz, Demian Maia, Kron Gracie, Benson Henderson, Rafael dos Anjos, Michael Chiesa, Colby Covington, and Dustin Poirier, suggesting he was open to "super fights" or even a title bout.

Burns, a 2011 world jiu-jitsu champion, competed in the UFC from 2014 to 2026 and reached the welterweight title picture in 2021 when he challenged Kamaru Usman but fell short in the third round. His most notable loss came against undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, a fight widely praised as the toughest of Chimaev's career. The grappling victory at UFC BJJ 9 suggests Burns may not be done competing just yet.