Gilbert Burns announced his retirement in the Octagon last weekend after a TKO loss to Mike Malott. The 39-year-old said he will stay in the sport, but in a new role: working as an MMA manager.
Retirement announced after final fight
Burns made the announcement inside the Octagon right after the TKO loss to Mike Malott. He is 39 years old and said this marks the end of his fighting career and the start of a new life chapter.
Plans to become a manager
Many people expected Burns to move into coaching or run a gym. Burns said he will do some of those things, but one major plan is to become a manager.
He said, “I think now another cycle of my life will begin where I will also give my all. I will dedicate myself. I already have a plan to be a manager now. This plan was tucked away in a drawer. Now it’s time to take it out of the drawer.”
How he wants to help fighters
Burns explained what he wants to offer as a manager. He believes many managers only help a fighter get into the UFC and then stop. Burns wants to do more.
He said he will help fighters with social media, relationships, and building a brand. He also wants to guide fighters on matchmaking — choosing fights that make sense for a career, not just tough matchups without long-term benefit.
In his words: “I think it’s possible to help many athletes get to the UFC, and get to the UFC with good work. I think there are many managers who just put the guy there and give the minimum amount of help, but it doesn’t really help a guy to have a professional career as it should be. Like helping the guy on social media, helping the guy with relationships, helping him become a brand. That’s something I really wanna do when I’m a manager. Also, understanding the matchmaking, the fights you can make, and what the best fights are. There will be tough fights, but there had to be a good cost-benefit ratio.”
What comes next
Burns said he will dedicate himself to the manager role and other projects. He did not give a full timetable, but he made clear this is a serious new direction after his final fight.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Gilbert Burns | TKO loss to Mike Malott; announced retirement in the Octagon |
| Mike Malott | TKO win over Gilbert Burns |
Coverage: UFCcoverage
