Gilbert Burns’ BJJ Career: Everything We Know About the UFC Star’s Grappling Prowess

Gilbert Burns is about to go up against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299. He’s rather well known for being an impressive grappler, but he’s going up against an opponent who has only 2 losses in his MMA career so far. Will his strengths in grappling and wrestling come in handy?

‘Durinho’ is freshly coming off a loss against Belal Muhammad. With that, he has now collected about 6 losses in his overall MMA career. However, apart from mixed martial arts, the fighter has many achievements in the world of combat sports.

Gilbert Burns’ BJJ belt and major achievements

Gilbert Burns currently holds a 3rd-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rafael ‘Fofitio’ Barros. He started training in BJJ GI at the tender age of 12, along with his brothers Herbert and Fredrick. In fact, his nickname, ‘Durinho’ comes from the nickname of his older brother and it means ‘Tiny Tough Guy’.

Burns has collected a rather beautiful resume when it comes to his time in competing in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. He’s also won the world title back in 2011. He’s also won the No-Gi championship in the year 2010.

Apart from that, Burns has collected a win at UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro, a first place at CBJJ Brazilian National all in the same year of 2010 as well as a 3rd place at IBJJF European Open in 2009. Clearly, the fighter is brimming with talent.

When he was a brown belt, he secured a second position at the IBJJF World Championship in 2007-2006 as well as a second position CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in 2007. Today, he’s an accomplished black belt and a submission grappler. However, not many know how his MMA journey started.

How did his BJJ journey start?

Gilbert Burns and his brothers found their very first instructor in Luis Carlos da Fonseca, who taught them at old Santa Marca College in Niteroi, Rio De Janeiro, Burns’ birthplace. Early exposure lead to a lot of peers and instructors helping ‘Durinho’ develop his skills.

Also Read: Gilbert Burns’ Nickname ‘Durinho’: Meaning Behind UFC Star’s Moniker

He kept working on his skills as a child under different instructors, including Ramos Lemos and Barros, as mentioned earlier. In his teens, he’d spend a lot of time training at the Associação Oriente de Jiu-Jitsu. This is how he ended up collecting silver medals as a brown belt.

After his 2011 victory, Burns decided to focus his attention on the sport of MMA instead and now, years later, he’s up for a bout against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299. Do you think he’ll collect a win soon?

Also Read: UFC News: Gilbert Burns Makes a Shocking U-Turn on Belal Muhammad Reality Check