The UFC’s April 18 Canadian date will not take place in Ottawa, as previously expected, but Winnipeg.
Promotion officials made the announcement on Friday, confirming a long-expected match-up between welterweights Gilbert Burns (22-9) and Mike Malott (13-2-1) as the card’s main event.
Previously, Ottawa had been confirmed by multiple sources and event stated publicly by fighters including Mitch Raposo. Instead of the Canadian capital, the promotion will touch down in Winnipeg, Manitoba for the first time since 2017, and just the third time overall.
The welterweight pairing now expected to headline the event was teased months ago, when Brazil’s Burns suggested he was preparing for a fight with Malott. A former title challenger, “Durinho” has lost four straight bouts, with his last victory coming over Jorge Masvidal in 2023. Since then, he’s dropped fights to Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, Sean Brady, and Michael Morales.
It’s worth noting that two of those names (Muhammad, Maddalena) would later claim welterweight gold, while the remaining two remain top contenders at 170lbs.
Mike Malott, alongside Niagara Top Team’s Jasmine Jasudavicius, has become the face of Canadian MMA. He’s won three straight, and is coming off a decision victory over Kevin Holland.
Burns remains ranked #11 in the weight class, while Malott currently sits outside the official rankings.
UFC Winnipeg will take place at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 18, 2026 and has the following match-ups attached currently:
- Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott
- John Castañeda vs. Mark Vologdin
- Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Karine Silva
- Allan Nascimento vs. Mitch Raposo
- Choi Dong-hun vs. André Lima