UFC Fight Night—Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales—Bio and Stats

Recent UFC events have been a rollercoaster of excitement, packed with jaw-dropping moments and unexpected twists! Fans were left reeling when Belal Muhammad shockingly lost his title to Maddalena, leaving many in disbelief. But amid the upheaval, Valentina Shevchenko continues to shine, showcasing her extraordinary skill by defending her championship with finesse. The women’s divisions are excited, with fighters putting on strong performances. This UFC has raised the stakes and increased anticipation among fans. UFC Fight Night brings exciting action fans are excited to see in the octagon. Get ready for the thrill of the fight! The octagon is prime, the lights are likely to dazzle, and the world is controlled for another unforgettable UFC Fight Night. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable UFC Fight Night on May 17, 2025, at the UFC Apex in dynamic Enterprise, Nevada! This UFC Fight Night event features an exciting welterweight fight between veteran Gilbert Burns and rising star Michael Morales. This welterweight clash features seasoned Brazilian veteran Burns against undefeated Ecuadorian rising star Morales. Burns, ranked No. 8, is trying to break a three-fight losing streak against No. 12 Morales. Morales aims to improve his status among top fighters in this match, which features both grappling and striking skills. This UFC Fight Night matchup features experience and ambition, promising an edge-of-your-seat thrill. Immerse yourself in the thrilling realm of sports! Get ready for exciting predictions, the latest updates, and fresh news that keep you at the heart of the action!

The UFC has some exciting news. Jack Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad to win the welterweight title in a tough fight. Now, he wants to fight Islam Makhachev next. Valentina Shevchenko kept her title by defeating Manon Fiorot. José Aldo, a famous fighter, is retiring after losing to Aiemann Zahabi. Fans were surprised when Paddy Pimblett moved up a weight class. Dana White expressed frustration over recent judging, joking that smaller promotions do better. The MMA world is constantly evolving, leading to exciting future matchups. UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales, also known as UFC Fight Night 256, is an essential event in mixed martial arts. The Ultimate Fighting Championship organizes it. This UFC Fight Night event was initially scheduled for the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar, but will now be at the UFC Apex. Gilbert Burns will fight Michael Morales in the main event for the welterweight division. Curtis Blaydes will face Rizvan Kuniev on June 21, the same day Park Jun-yong will fight Ismail Naurdiev. Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov is put off, and Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev has been rescheduled. Hamdy Abdelwahab will fight Mohammed Usman at UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. Also, Aaron Pico was supposed to debut against Movsar Evloev, but that fight did not happen. This UFC Fight Night event will feature essential matchups and highlight the changing world of MMA. Dive into the world of UFC like never before! Discover in-depth insights on your favorite fighters and analyze their performances to stay ahead of the game.

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Background and MMA career

Gilbert Alexander Pontes Burns, known as “Durinho,” is a formidable Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and a skilled submission grappler. With a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Burns was born on July 20, 1986, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His journey began when his father traded auto repairs for Jiu-Jitsu lessons. Burns UFC started his MMA career in 2012, achieving ten wins by 2015. After a setback, he showcased resilience, earning multiple World Championships before moving to MMA. Gilbert Burns made his UFC debut in 2014 and quickly became a top contender in the welterweight division. In 2021, he clashed for the UFC welterweight title against Kamaru Usman. After facing elite fighters like Masvidal and Chimaev, Gilbert Burns remains a top competitor. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert with top-level grappling skills and strong striking skills. While he faces tougher competition, Burns is confident in his abilities and strategies. He does well in close fights, uses his wrestling to control his opponents, and looks for submission holds. He needs to close the distance, perform takedowns, and use his submission skills effectively to win. He should avoid long striking exchanges because his opponents are more vigorous. With anticipation building, fans can suppose an unforgettable UFC Fight Night of thrilling MMA action featuring Gilbert Burns. Stay tuned for the up-to-the-minute MMA updates and exciting news that you won’t want to miss!

Michael Jonathan Morales Hurtado is a rising UFC welterweight prospect from Ecuador, born on June 24, 1999. He began practicing judo at the age of five. At ten, he switched to wrestling, and by 14, he started training in MMA. He learned both grappling and striking skills. Morales has an undefeated record and a reach advantage. He is a skilled striker who keeps fights standing and delivers strong, accurate punches. He understands the importance of maintaining distance, utilizing his jab and footwork, and defending against takedowns to dictate the flow of the fight. If he can execute his game plan effectively, he stands a strong chance of securing decisive victories. Morales UFC kicked off his professional career in 2017 and has scored an impressive 17-0 record, with 12 of those wins by knockout. Standing 6 feet tall with a 79-inch reach, he leverages his physical attributes to dominate his opponents. Michael Morales has been impressive since he started fighting in the UFC in 2022. He won his first match against Trevin Giles by TKO in the first round. Morales’s upcoming fight against Gilbert Burns is a key test of his skills. He has won over well-known fighters like Neil Magny, Jake Matthews, and Max Griffin. With an unblemished record and rising status, a victory could propel him toward title contention. Supporters are eager to see how he performs against a tough veteran like Burns.

Event Details for UFC Fight Night

Main Event: Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales

Date: May 17, 2025 (Saturday)

Time: 08:00 p.m. ET | 05:00 p.m. PT | 05:30 a.m. IST (Next Day)

Venue: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

Where can I watch Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales?

The upcoming UFC Fight Night features an exciting matchup between Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales. This UFC Fight Night event promises intense action as these skilled fighters face off in the octagon. Fans can watch the fight live from anywhere in the world with a global fight pass. This way, they won’t miss any exciting moments, including knockouts and intense battles.

Prepare for an electrifying UFC Fight Night showdown as Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales will likely collide! Purchase your global fight pass now at the UFC Fight Night website. Don’t miss any intense moments inside the octagon!

Don’t miss any action at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales! Watch the event live on the Sony Liv app and experience every intense moment in the octagon. Prepare for high-stakes battles, explosive knockouts, and elite MMA action—all available at your fingertips!

Catch all the excitement of UFC Fight Night exclusively on ESPN+! Don’t miss the exciting fight between Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales as they compete for MMA dominance.

Bell proudly delivers UFC Fight Night in Canada! Fans can anticipate an unparalleled, high-quality viewing experience that brings every electrifying moment directly to their screens.

Exciting news, UFC fans! UFC Fight Night is making its way to TNT Sports in the U.K.! You can catch every thrilling moment live on the TNT Sports app. Prepare for an unforgettable night in the octagon—it will be amazing!

Experience UFC Fight Night like a true fan! Catch all the thrilling action exclusively on Foxtel and Kayo, Australia’s top sports streaming platforms.

Stream UFC Fight Night live on Bet365.com and take charge of your fight day experience. With live betting on every strike and submission, you’ll fully engage in the exhilarating action like never before.

Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales Fight Card

Main Card

Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales (Welterweight)

Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig (Light Heavyweight)

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos (Lightweight)

Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (Middleweight)

Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)

Prelims

Gabe Green vs. Matheus Camilo (Lightweight)

Jared Gordon vs. Thiago Moises (Lightweight)

Yadier Del Valle vs. Connor Matthews (Featherweight)

Luana Santos vs. Tainara Lisboa (Women’s Bantamweight)

Elise Reed vs. Denise Gomes (Women’s Strawweight)

Hyunsung Park vs. Carlos Hernandez (Flyweight)

Tecia Pennington vs. Luana Pinheiro (Women’s Strawweight)

Gilbert Burns Bio and Stats

Nationality: Brazilian

Age: 38

Height: 5’10”

Reach: 71”

Total Fights: 30

Record: 22-8-0 (6 Knockouts)

Michael Morales Bio and Stats

Nationality: Ecuadorian 

Age: 25

Height: 6’0”

Reach: 79”

Total Fights: 17

Record: 17-0-0 (12 Knockouts)

Prediction for UFC Fight Night

Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales

The UFC Fight Night event between Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales is intriguing due to their contrasting fighting styles. Gilbert Burns is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner with a third-degree black belt and a strong submission game. He uses his strong grappling skills to control opponents on the ground. Burns UFC has dramatically improved his striking skills. Burns has struggled against some of the toughest fighters in the welterweight division, like Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. He comes into this fight with a lot of experience and a strong wish to stay in the running for the title. He now shows powerful punches and uses a more flexible approach when fighting on his feet. His excellent cardio allows him to sustain a high pace and apply consistent pressure throughout his bouts. He can take them down and keep them in positions that give him an advantage. Gilbert Burns struggles against strong strikers who can keep the fight standing and evade his takedowns. Fighters with effective takedown defense and accurate striking have capitalized on this weakness.

Burns usually has good conditioning but sometimes struggles with his stamina in longer fights. During fast-paced striking exchanges, rather than in grappling-heavy fights. Thus, managing his energy and avoiding extended striking battles will be vital for his success against opponents like Michael Morales. Burns is a highly accomplished jiu-jitsu athlete. He has won the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in gi and no-gi competitions. His skills in submission techniques make him a strong competitor. He is also a CBJJ Brazilian Champion and a UAEJJF World Pro Champion. Additionally, he has earned medals at the European Open and the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship. When comparing these skills to other ways of winning in his MMA career, such as knockouts and decision wins, for him, this fight is more than just another match—it’s a chance to prove himself. Gilbert Burns will be ready to face their opponent, Michael Morales.

On the other side of the cage is Michael Morales. He is a strong fighter in the UFC and is ready to show his skills.Morales is a dynamic striker representing Ecuador, known for his elite competition, athleticism, and precision. He shows a rare maturity for his age, systematically dismantling opponents with calculated aggression. Michael Morales has an impressive passion for his MMA career, which began in childhood with his mother as his first coach. Even more remarkable is that Morales considers himself blessed to have his mother’s support throughout his journey. With encouragement from his family, he has developed a thriving professional career that stands out. This UFC Fight Night is a key moment in his career. It is a chance for him to show that he can compete with the best fighters. Michael Morales is a dynamic and formidable fighter, exhibiting a powerful blend of striking and grappling prowess. His knockout power enables him to finish many opponents with precision and brutality.

Morales UFC uses his speed and endurance to control the pace and respond quickly. His undefeated record shows his potential, even though he has not yet fought the top fighters in the welterweight division. The upcoming fight against Gilbert Burns represents a crucial opportunity for Morales to showcase his talent against a seasoned adversary. Despite vulnerabilities in his ground game, he has striking skills to keep the fight standing. For Morales, this isn’t just a fight; it’s the realization of a dream that’s on the edge of unfolding. A victory here would elevate him in the welterweight division, proving he’s ready to face the best. This clash will hinge on Burns’s ability to assert his will and Morales’s talent for adapting under pressure. Burns has experience in high-stress situations, which may give him an advantage. However, Morales has youthful energy and determination that could help him win. It’s a battle of strategy, skill, and sheer heart—a definitive test of being a fighter. Hence, Gilbert Burns will have more chances to hold on to a triumph at their anticipation event.

The Pick: Gilbert Burns via Submission