Gilbert Burns set for UFC BJJ 9

Gilbert Burns is heading back into a grappling match less than six weeks after his final UFC fight. The retired former UFC welterweight title challenger is scheduled to face Horlando Monteiro at UFC BJJ 9 on June 4, according to JitsMagazine and MMA Fighting. JitsMagazine reported the matchup on May 24 and said the bout is part of the UFC BJJ 9 card in Las Vegas. MMA Fighting said the promotion announced Burns’ debut in the UFC BJJ bowl for the June 4 event. ### How soon is Burns returning after leaving MMA? April 18 was Burns’ last recorded UFC appearance, when he was stopped by Mike Malott via strikes in the third round at UFC Fight Night, according to the UFC athlete page. The same UFC profile lists Burns as retired and shows his UFC record at 22-10-0. May 24 is when the grappling booking surfaced publicly. (jitsmagazine.com) JitsMagazine said Burns had announced after his retirement that he still intended to compete in jiu-jitsu, and the June 4 booking is the first concrete date attached to that plan. ### What kind of grappling résumé is Burns bringing back? (kr.ufc.com) Burns built his reputation in jiu-jitsu before his UFC run. JitsMagazine said he won three IBJJF world titles across gi and no-gi between 2010 and 2013, then added an ADCC bronze medal in 2015 before shifting his focus more fully to mixed martial arts. (jitsmagazine.com) The UFC’s own profile lists Burns’ fighting style as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and notes nine submission wins in MMA. That page also says Burns turned professional in 2012 and made his UFC debut in 2014. ### When did Burns last compete in public jiu-jitsu? 2021 was Burns’ last public jiu-jitsu appearance, according to JitsMagazine, which said he was submitted by Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa at BJJ Stars 7 that year. (jitsmagazine.com) If the June 4 date holds, that would end a gap of roughly five years between public grappling matches. (kr.ufc.com) That layoff matters because the grappling circuit Burns left is not the one he is re-entering. JitsMagazine said the talent pool is deeper and the technical level has advanced since Burns’ peak years on the IBJJF circuit. That assessment came from the outlet, not Burns. ### Who is Horlando Monteiro and where does this fit on the card? (jitsmagazine.com) Horlando Monteiro is not being presented as a tune-up opponent. JitsMagazine said Monteiro has already faced many of the top grapplers in the sport and is also returning after a break, with his last competition coming nearly two years ago. (jitsmagazine.com) The same report said Burns-Monteiro is set as the co-main event. JitsMagazine listed Mason Fowler’s light-heavyweight title defense against Devhonte Johnson as the main event immediately after it. ### What do we know about UFC BJJ 9 itself? June 4 is the date attached to UFC BJJ 9 in the published reports on Burns’ booking. (jitsmagazine.com) The UFC BJJ section of UFC’s website currently promotes prior and recent cards in the series and identifies Las Vegas as the site of recent UFC BJJ events at Meta APEX, though the Burns matchup details were surfaced through media reports rather than a full event page in the search results reviewed. June 4 is now Burns’ next scheduled competitive date, with Monteiro across from him on the UFC BJJ 9 card in Las Vegas. JitsMagazine said the match was announced through UFC BJJ’s official Instagram account, and MMA Fighting separately reported the same opponent and date. (jitsmagazine.com) (jp.ufc.com)