Gilbert Burns signs new four-fight deal with the UFC

Gilbert Burns inked a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.

The jiu-jitsu expert fought the last bout of his contract in September, stopping Jason Saggo in the second round and scoring his first knockout since joining the UFC in 2014.

“Durinho’s” now has four fights on his new contract with the UFC, he revealed to MMA Fighting on Thursday.

“I kind of had some pressure over me in that fight and managed to do a good job,” Burns said. “It was the last fight of my contract and if I had lost there it would have been bad for me, but I finished it in great fashion, got my first knockout in the UFC, and everyone loved it.

“(UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby and everyone in the UFC liked it a lot, and my manager Ali (Abdelaziz) got me another contract in the UFC. I’m super happy because my goal was to re-sign with the UFC.”

After competing only once in the UFC in 2017, Burns hopes to get back in action early next year. The Brazilian talent has finished his opponents in all of his wins at lightweight, boosting his UFC record to 5-2.

“I have more four fights in the UFC, and I’m already asking for a fight in January or February,” Burns said. “I’m happy with my new contract, and that proves I’m on the right track. I still have a lot to improve, always, but that gives you extra motivation to train.

“My goal now is to put on a win streak and climb the lightweight rankings,” he continued. “This is one of the toughest divisions out there. I think I have the best jiu-jitsu of the division, and evolving in other areas makes it easier for me to use my jiu-jitsu any time I want.”