LAS VEGAS — Gabriel Almeida handed Gilbert Burns his first defeat under the UFC BJJ banner with a first-round heel hook at UFC BJJ 12 on Thursday night in Las Vegas, less than a month after Burns suffered a tech fall defeat to Khamzat Chimaev under wrestling rules at RAF three weeks ago.
The fellow Brazilian Almeida secured the tap after a grappling exchange that saw Burns — known as “Durinho” — shoot for an early takedown and quickly escape a guillotine threat. Burns was unable to generate offence from top position, before Almeida reversed to the top, threatened the neck and then transitioned to a leg attack to lock in the decisive heel hook.
The result leaves the retired MMA fighter with one win and one defeat in UFC BJJ competition. Burns had been victorious on his debut in June when he tapped out Horlando Monteiro with a rear-naked choke, and returned to the promotion’s grappling banner shortly after his wrestling defeat to Chimaev.
UFC BJJ 12 was headlined by two championship bouts, with Cassia Moura scoring a split decision over Adele Fornarino to remain flyweight champion, while Renato Canuto defeated Ethan Crelinsten via unanimous decision in the co-main event to capture the vacant lightweight belt.