UFC Returns to Winnipeg with Welterweight Showdown

Gilbert Burns looks to end four-fight skid against rising Canadian prospect Mike Malott

Feb. 20, 2026 at 8:34pm

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The UFC is returning to Winnipeg, Canada for the first time since 2017, and the main event will feature a pivotal welterweight matchup between #11 ranked contender Gilbert Burns and Canadian prospect Mike Malott. Burns is looking to snap a four-fight losing streak, while Malott aims to break into the UFC rankings with a win in front of his home crowd.

Why it matters

The welterweight division is one of the most competitive in the UFC, and this fight could have major implications for the rankings. Burns is a former title challenger looking to regain his spot among the elite, while Malott represents the next generation of Canadian MMA talent seeking to make a name for himself.

The details

Gilbert Burns, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, is currently mired in a four-fight losing skid after previously challenging for the welterweight title. His opponent, Mike Malott, is a Canadian prospect who earned a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series and has won three straight fights in the promotion. Malott will have the home crowd advantage as he looks to hand Burns his fifth consecutive defeat and break into the UFC welterweight rankings.

  • The UFC last held an event in Winnipeg in 2017.
  • UFC Winnipeg will take place at the Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026.

The players

Gilbert Burns

A Brazilian welterweight contender currently ranked #11 in the UFC, Burns is looking to snap a four-fight losing streak and regain his spot among the division's elite.

Mike Malott

A Canadian welterweight prospect who earned a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series and is riding a three-fight winning streak in the promotion, Malott will have the home crowd support as he aims to break into the UFC rankings.

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What’s next

The winner of this fight could potentially earn a top-15 ranking in the UFC welterweight division, setting them up for a high-profile matchup against another contender.

The takeaway

This welterweight showdown between a veteran in Gilbert Burns and a rising Canadian star in Mike Malott represents the changing of the guard in the UFC's 170-pound division, as the promotion returns to Winnipeg for the first time in nearly a decade.