UFC Canada has introduced that Mike Marotte will headline UFC Winnipeg on April 18, 2026, dealing with Brazilian veteran Gilbert Burns in a five-round welterweight major occasion on the Canada Life Heart. The occasion was initially rumored to be held in Ottawa, however was moved to Winnipeg, marking the UFC’s return to Manitoba’s capital for the primary time since December 2017.
Mike Marotte headlines UFC Winnipeg vs. Gilbert Burns major occasion in April
Mike Malott, a 34-year-old Canadian from Burlington, Ontario, would be the first Canadian to headline a UFC card in almost six years. He has knowledgeable file of 13 wins and a couple of losses and is presently on a three-fight successful streak. Most lately, he defeated Kevin Holland by unanimous choice in October 2025. In line with his official UFC profile, he has stopped 9 opponents in a single spherical over his 15-fight skilled profession, with 4 ending by knockout and 6 by submission.
His opponent shall be Gilbert Burns, a 39-year-old Brazilian and former title challenger who’s presently 22-9. Burns final gained a call over Jorge Masvidal in 2023, however since then he has misplaced 4 straight fights, together with losses to former champions Belal Muhammad and Jacques de la Maddalena, and title contenders Sean Brady and Michael Morales. He has been cited as a veteran who desires to reset his standing within the 170-pound division, and this matchup is anticipated to be his first UFC look of 2026.
This would be the third UFC occasion in Winnipeg, following UFC 161 in 2013 and Combat Night time in December 2017, which was headlined by Rafael dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler. The 2026 present is listed as UFC Combat Night time 273 and shall be held on the Canada Life Heart (previously Bell MTS Place). Early studies point out that a number of bouts are tentatively included on the cardboard, together with Jasmine Jasdavicius vs. Karine Silva, Jon Castañeda vs. Mark Vologdin, Mitch Raposo vs. Alan Nascimento, and Dong-Hoon Choi vs. Andre Lima, however the UFC has not finalized the total lineup.
For Marotto, this task is clearly a rise in duty. In a tweet following the announcement, he stated: “I have been ready for this chance my complete profession. Headlining in entrance of the individuals in Canada is all the pieces I’ve labored for.” These closest to him say the coaching camp is much less about spectacle and extra about bridging the hole between regional-level finishers and UFC-level major occasion fighters.
Burns positioned the combat as a reset in his personal feedback through the crew’s launch channel. “I do know what I’m up in opposition to,” he stated. “He is younger, he is hungry, he is house. However I have been rejected earlier than and I am nonetheless right here. That is one other probability to show that I belong on the prime.” The implication is evident. For Malott, it is about cementing his stardom. For Burns, it is about getting again into competition.
April 18 in Winnipeg shall be one of the vital significant combat evening playing cards on the 2026 schedule.
