Gilbert Burns wins in UFC 287 co-main event, Masvidal retires

Former world title challenger Gilbert Burns sent fan-favorite Jorge Masvidal to retirement following a dominant unanimous decision win over the latter in the co-main event of UFC 287 this Sunday at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

“This is where I started my career. It has been a long 20 years, 50 something fights. I do not feel the same when I get here. I love this sport and I can say I am good for life now,” said Masvidal, who suffered his fourth straight loss and retired with a professional record of 35-17.

Masvidal and Burns fought on their feet in the opening round landing clean shots of their own. Burns decided to mix it up in round two, pinning Masvidal to the side of the cage before scoring a takedown.

Burns was unable to do much on the ground as Masvidal displayed an impressive half-guard to avoid getting punished with ground and pound before eventually making it back to his feet. Masvidal looked tired in the third and final round after the grappling exchange and was rocked with a right hand from Burns.

Smelling blood, Burns poured it on throwing overhand rights repeatedly that stunned his foe. Masvidal, to his credit, shook off the punches and continued to throw his own. All three judges saw the fight for Burns after three five-minute rounds, improving his record to 22-5.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News