UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Malott Preview: Full Fight Card Breakdown
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Event Date: April 18, 2026 Location: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1. Full Fight Card
This section provides a comprehensive overview of the scheduled bouts for the event, separated into the Main Card and Preliminary Card. Betting odds are included to reflect market sentiment.
Main Card
| Weight Class | Fighter 1 | Fighter 2 | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welterweight | Gilbert "Durinho" Burns | Mike "Proper" Malott | +445 / -600 |
| Bantamweight | Charles "Air" Jourdain | Kyler "The Matrix" Phillips | -188 / +150 |
| Women's Flyweight | Jasmine Jasudavicius | Karine "Killer" Silva | -376 / +250 |
| Lightweight | Jai "The Black Country Banger" Herbert | Mandel "Rat Garbage" Nallo | +140 / -177 |
| Heavyweight | Tanner "The Bulldozer" Boser | Gokhan "The Turk" Saricam | +135 / -170 |
Preliminary Card
| Weight Class | Fighter 1 | Fighter 2 | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Flyweight | JJ Aldrich | Jamey-Lyn Horth | +180 / -245 |
| Middleweight | Julien Leblanc | Robert Valentin | -170 / +135 |
| Flyweight | Mitch Raposo | Allan "Puro Osso" Nascimento | +265 / -400 |
| Women's Bantamweight | Melissa Croden | Daria Zhelezniakova | -159 (4/7) / +130 (13/10) |
| Bantamweight | John "The Magician" Castaneda | Mark Vologdin | +115 (23/20) / -150 (4/6) |
| Featherweight | Dennis "The Great" Buzukja | Marcio "Tico" Barbosa | +300 (3/1) / -450 (2/9) |
| Lightweight | Thiago Moisés | Gauge Young | Odds Not Widely Available |
| Bantamweight | Jamie Siraj | John Yannis | Odds Not Widely Available |
2. Main Event: Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott
The welterweight main event presents a classic crossroads matchup. Gilbert Burns, a decorated veteran and former title challenger, looks to halt a significant skid and re-establish his elite standing. He faces Mike Malott, a surging Canadian finisher with a perfect UFC finishing rate, who aims to use Burns as a stepping stone into the divisional top ten, all while enjoying a significant home-country advantage.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Gilbert Burns | Mike Malott |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 22-9-0 | 13-2-1 |
| Age | 39 | 34 |
| Height | 5'10" | 6'1" |
| Reach | 71" | 73" |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| SLpM | 3.15 | 3.93 |
| Str. Acc. | 48% | 48% |
| SApM | 3.34 | 3.06 |
| Str. Def. | 54% | 56% |
| TD Avg. | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| TD Acc. | 37% | 50% |
| TD Def. | 47% | 14% |
| Sub. Avg. | 0.5 | 0.8 |
Fighter Analysis: Gilbert "Durinho" Burns
Gilbert Burns is a fighter defined by two primary weapons: world-championship-caliber Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and devastating overhand power. A 3rd-degree BJJ black belt and four-time World Jiu-Jitsu champion, his grappling is among the most feared in the division. His submission victories are a testament to his expertise, featuring armbars, rear-naked chokes, and a particularly slick arm-triangle choke victory over Neil Magny. Burns is strategic on the mat, excelling at taking the back, utilizing figure-four body locks, and patiently setting up fight-ending submissions.
On the feet, Burns is not a volume striker but a power puncher. He relies heavily on explosive movements, closing distance to land powerful overhand rights and uppercuts. His knockouts over Demian Maia (left hook) and Dan Moret (uppercut and overhand) showcase his ability to end the fight with a single exchange.
However, at 39, Burns is on the most difficult run of his career, having lost four consecutive fights to Michael Morales, Sean Brady, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad. While this opposition is elite, the string of losses, including two by KO/TKO, raises questions about his durability and ability to compete with the next generation of welterweights. This fight is a must-win to maintain his relevance.
Fighter Analysis: Mike "Proper" Malott
Mike Malott represents that new generation. A BJJ black belt in his own right, Malott has proven to be an exceptionally dangerous and opportunistic submission artist. His signature weapon is the guillotine choke, which he uses with lethal efficiency, as seen in his 39-second finish on the Contender Series and his high-wrist guillotine victory over Adam Fugitt. He also possesses a potent arm-triangle choke. With a 100% finish rate in his UFC career, Malott is a constant threat.
Standing, Malott displays crisp boxing and legitimate knockout power. His recent KO of Charles Radtke, initiated by a sharp left hook, demonstrates his technical proficiency and finishing instincts on the feet. He lands strikes at a higher volume than Burns (3.93 SLpM) and has a slightly better striking defense (56%).
Malott's most glaring vulnerability lies in his wrestling defense. His takedown defense statistic of 14% is exceptionally low and presents a clear and significant target for a grappler of Burns's caliber. While he has shown resilience, his lone UFC loss to Neil Magny via late TKO highlighted a potential weakness when grappling exchanges become attritional.
Stylistic Breakdown & Path to Victory
This is a fascinating clash of two BJJ black belts with proven finishing ability in every phase. The entire fight hinges on one critical dynamic: Can Gilbert Burns exploit Malott's 14% takedown defense before Malott can capitalize on a takedown attempt with a guillotine or land a knockout blow on the feet?
Gilbert Burns's Path to Victory: Burns must make this an MMA fight, not a kickboxing match. He needs to use his striking as a feint to set up his takedowns. His 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes and 37% accuracy are not elite wrestling numbers, but against a 14% defense rate, they should be more than sufficient. If Burns can get this fight to the mat and establish top position, his world-class BJJ should be the deciding factor. He must avoid shooting recklessly from a distance, which would expose his neck to Malott's primary weapon. Clinch takedowns or reactive takedowns off Malott's forward pressure would be his safest route to the ground.
Mike Malott's Path to Victory: Malott needs to keep the fight standing and manage distance with his jab and footwork. He must make Burns pay for every entry attempt. His best chance for a finish may come from a counter-submission during a Burns takedown attempt. The threat of his guillotine could make Burns hesitant to shoot. On the feet, he has the crisper boxing and a two-inch reach advantage. He should look to counter Burns's looping overhands with straight punches. The energy from the Winnipeg crowd will be a significant factor, potentially fueling him in later rounds if the fight extends.
Prediction: The betting lines reflect Malott's momentum and Burns's recent skid, making Malott a heavy favorite. However, the stylistic matchup is far closer than the odds suggest. Malott's takedown defense is a catastrophic liability against a grappler like Burns. If the veteran can fight a smart, disciplined, grappling-heavy game plan, he has a clear path to an upset submission victory. If he engages in a firefight or shoots carelessly, Malott's power and submission acumen will likely lead to another highlight-reel finish.
3. Co-Main Event: Charles Jourdain vs. Kyler Phillips
The bantamweight co-main event features a compelling clash of styles between the high-volume, technical striking of Canadian fan-favorite Charles Jourdain and the unpredictable, dynamic grappling and scrambling of Kyler "The Matrix" Phillips.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Charles Jourdain | Kyler Phillips |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 17-7-1 | 12-3-0 |
| Age | 30 | 30 |
| Height | 5'9" | 5'8" |
| Reach | 69" | 72" |
| Stance | Switch | Orthodox |
| SLpM | 5.48 | 4.90 |
| Str. Acc. | 49% | 52% |
| SApM | 4.25 | 2.50 |
| Str. Def. | 57% | 61% |
| TD Avg. | 0.15 | 2.31 |
| TD Acc. | 40% | 45% |
| TD Def. | 50% | 69% |
| Sub. Avg. | 0.8 | 0.4 |
Fighter Analysis: Charles "Air" Jourdain
Charles Jourdain is a dynamic and entertaining striker who has recently found new life after dropping from featherweight to bantamweight. His primary asset is his high-volume, multi-faceted striking offense. He lands an impressive 5.48 significant strikes per minute with 49% accuracy. His attack is well-distributed, targeting the head (54%), body (28%), and legs (18%).
Since moving to 135 lbs, his speed and quickness appear to have translated effectively, as seen in his submission win over Victor Henry where he was winning "virtually all the striking exchanges." Jourdain is a proven finisher, with 8 KOs and 7 submissions among his 17 wins. However, he can be out-pointed in close fights, as evidenced by several decision losses. A notable example is his loss to Shane Burgos, where he landed 71 more significant strikes but still lost the decision, highlighting that volume does not always equate to judicially-recognized damage or control.
Fighter Analysis: Kyler "The Matrix" Phillips
Kyler Phillips has earned his nickname through a multi-dimensional and often chaotic style rooted in a strong wrestling base (CIF champion) and a Carlson Gracie BJJ black belt. His game is built around fluid grappling chains and constant scrambles. He initiates these sequences with fast, untelegraphed takedowns, averaging 2.31 per 15 minutes. He is constantly in motion, making him difficult to control and hold down.
Phillips's primary weakness has historically been his cardio. His energy-intensive style has led to him fading in the third round of several fights. However, he has shown marked improvements in this area, notably in his decision win over Pedro Munhoz, where he maintained pressure and recovered quickly from scrambles in the final round. Opponents have found success against Phillips by using disciplined striking, distance management, and leg kicks to disrupt his rhythm and prevent him from closing the distance to initiate his grappling. Strong top-control grapplers have also been able to neutralize his scrambles for periods of time.
Stylistic Breakdown & Path to Victory
This fight will be a battle for control of range and pace. Jourdain wants a technical kickboxing match at distance, while Phillips wants to create chaos in grappling exchanges.
Charles Jourdain's Path to Victory: Jourdain must use his footwork and jab to maintain distance and prevent Phillips from getting to his hips. Leg kicks will be a crucial weapon to punish Phillips's entries and potentially compromise his mobility and cardio. Jourdain needs to stay disciplined and avoid being drawn into wild scrambles where Phillips thrives. He should focus on accumulating damage with his high-volume striking, particularly targeting the body to tax Phillips's gas tank. If he can keep the fight standing and dictate the range, his superior striking output should win him the rounds.
Kyler Phillips's Path to Victory: Phillips needs to close the distance and turn this into a grappling match. He cannot afford to stand at range with Jourdain. He should use his unorthodox movement and striking to create openings for his fast double and single-leg takedowns. Even if a takedown isn't secured, initiating a scramble plays to his strengths. On the ground, he needs to be relentless with transitions and submission attempts, forcing Jourdain to constantly defend and expend energy. His best chance is to wear Jourdain down with his pace and grappling pressure, potentially finding a submission or dominating on the scorecards with control time and effective grappling.
Prediction: This is a very competitive fight. Jourdain's recent success at bantamweight and his technical striking advantage make him the rightful favorite. However, Phillips's unique style presents problems that are difficult to prepare for. If Phillips's cardio holds up for three rounds, his relentless grappling pressure could be enough to nullify Jourdain's offense. The fight likely hinges on Jourdain's takedown defense and his ability to inflict damage with his striking before Phillips can implement his game.
4. Key Main Card Matchups
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Karine Silva (Women's Flyweight)
This is a quintessential grappler vs. grappler matchup, but with a critical distinction: it pits a dominant top-control specialist against a hyper-aggressive submission hunter from the bottom.
Jasmine Jasudavicius is a BJJ black belt whose game is predicated on wrestling and top control. She averages an impressive 2.59 takedowns per 15 minutes (44% accuracy) and has a solid 75% takedown defense. Once on top, she is suffocating, as shown in her fight against Priscila Cachoeira where she maintained top mount for four minutes, landing heavy ground and pound. She has multiple submission wins from dominant positions, including D'Arce, anaconda, and rear-naked chokes.
Karine "Killer" Silva is also a BJJ black belt but embodies a "finish-first" mentality. Her takedown defense is a porous 21%, indicating she is comfortable being taken down because her guard is so dangerous. She attempts 1.5 submissions per 15 minutes, a very high rate. Her arsenal is diverse and opportunistic, featuring guillotines from the bottom guard (vs. Maryna Moroz), kneebars (vs. Ketlen Souza), and Brabo chokes. She is always actively hunting for a finish from her back.
The Crucial Question: How Will Judges Score This Fight? This fight is a fascinating case study in the modern unified rules of MMA. The primary scoring criterion is "Effective Striking/Grappling," which prioritizes impact and damage over simple control. "Effective Grappling" is judged by takedowns, reversals, and submission attempts.
- A round where Jasudavicius secures a takedown and maintains top control while landing minimal ground and pound, but is forced to constantly defend deep, threatening submission attempts from Silva, could and should be scored for Silva.
- The rules state that submission attempts causing an opponent to "suffer or weaken" or that "come close to ending a fight" are weighted more highly than easily defended ones.
- Conversely, if Jasudavicius is able to nullify Silva's attempts while actively landing damaging ground and pound and advancing her position, she will clearly win the rounds.
The winner will be the fighter who can more effectively impose their grappling "A-game" and demonstrate greater impact according to the scoring criteria.
Jai Herbert vs. Mandel Nallo (Lightweight)
This lightweight bout promises a technical and potentially explosive striking affair between two tall, rangy lightweights with distinct defensive vulnerabilities.
Jai Herbert (6'1", 77" reach) is a technical striker who has shown power but also critical defensive lapses. His most notable vulnerability was exposed in his KO loss to Ilia Topuria, where he admitted to a tactical error by getting trapped against the cage, leaving him no room to move away from the fight-ending power shot. This suggests a weakness under intense pressure in confined spaces. His 53% striking defense is average, and he can be over-aggressive when he has an opponent hurt, leaving himself open to counters.
Mandel Nallo (6'0", 75" reach) is an explosive and athletic striker. However, analysis points to a tendency to carry his "hands low" and possessing a "questionable chin." All three of his professional losses have come via late finishes, suggesting potential issues with durability or defensive discipline as fights progress. While his 72% striking defense statistic is high, it comes from a very small UFC sample size. His philosophy of prioritizing exciting fights over "boring wins" may lead him to take calculated defensive risks.
Stylistic Breakdown: This fight is a high-stakes game of defensive chicken. Both men have the length and power to end the fight, but both have shown clear paths for their opponents to do the same.
- Herbert's key will be to use his range and jab to control the fight from the center of the octagon, avoiding the fence at all costs.
- Nallo's key will be to time Herbert's entries and exits, looking to capitalize on the openings created by Herbert's aggression or Nallo's own unorthodox attacks. The fighter who can maintain their defensive discipline while implementing their offense will likely find the knockout.
5. Prelim Fight to Watch
Tanner Boser vs. Gokhan Saricam (Heavyweight)
This preliminary heavyweight fight presents a fascinating contrast between an atypical, movement-based striker and a more conventional, power-and-pressure-focused fighter.
Tanner "The Bulldozer" Boser is unique in the heavyweight division. His style is built on a Shito-Ryu Karate black belt, which translates to light, in-and-out footwork and a high-volume, technical striking approach (4.7 SLpM). He is not a one-punch knockout artist but prefers to "pick at" opponents, using his superior cardio to wear them down. His specialized conditioning regimen, which includes grueling circuits on the Versa Climber and SkiErg, allows him to maintain a high pace for three full rounds. His weakness has been against powerful, forward-moving heavyweights who can impose a grappling-heavy game, as seen in his loss to Ilir Latifi, where he was out-struck his opponent significantly but lost a decision due to control time.
Gokhan "The Turk" Saricam appears to be the type of fighter who has given Boser trouble. A 6'3" heavyweight with a high knockout percentage (8 of 11 wins), Saricam employs a strategy of heavy forward pressure, clinching, and wrestling. His goal is to wear opponents down against the fence, using body locks and trip takedowns to bring the fight to the mat where he can unleash ground and pound. His losses have come against opponents who could exploit him with superior wrestling or a significant reach advantage.
Stylistic Breakdown: This fight will be determined by whether space or pressure prevails.
- Boser's path to victory is to use the full expanse of the octagon. He must stay on his bike, constantly circling, feinting, and landing his volume strikes from the outside. He cannot allow Saricam to corner him against the fence. If he can frustrate Saricam and out-land him for 15 minutes, he can win a clear decision.
- Saricam's path to victory is to cut off the cage and make it a phone booth fight. He needs to walk Boser down, initiate clinches, and make the fight a grueling test of strength. If he can secure takedowns and establish top control, he can neutralize Boser's primary weapons and either find a ground-and-pound finish or win the rounds decisively with control time, mirroring the Latifi blueprint.