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Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Preview & Picks – Morales To KO Burns At UFC Fight Night
- Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales picks for Saturday, May 17
- UFC Fight Night is taking place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
Michael Morales (Getty Images)
- Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Preview & Picks
- Gilbert Burns Form
- Michael Morales Form
Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Preview & Picks
Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Preview & Picks
Michael Morales is picked to knock out Gilbert Burns inside three rounds.
Morales boasts a huge reach advantage and has the punching power to put Gilbert Burns to the sword.
- Michael Morales has a perfect 17-0 record
- 12 of Michael Morales’ 17 career wins have been by KO/TKO
- Gilbert Burns has been knocked out 3 times in his career
- All 3 of Gilbert Burns’ knockout losses came inside 3 rounds
Gilbert Burns Form
Gilbert Burns is the number eight ranked welterweight contender with a professional record of 22-8 (6 KOs, 9 Subs).
Burns debuted in the UFC in July 2014 and despite some mixed form over the first couple of years, he stormed into title contention with a six-fight streak between 2018 and 2020.
A second-round knockout of Demian Maia and a unanimous decision win over former champion Tyron Woodley earned him a shot at the title in February 2021.
However, the 38-year-old Brazilian’s title challenge ended in failure, as he was knocked out by Kamaru Usman in the third round.
Burns rebounded with a points win against Stephen Thompson, and then rebounded from a decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev with a first-round submission win over Neil Magny.
‘Durinho’ backed that up by out-pointing Jorge Masvidal in April 2023, but he has not won since.
He was beaten on points by Belal Muhammad a month later, and then lost both of his outings in 2024.
Burns was first knocked out by Jack Della Maddalena in the third round, and he then dropped a decision to Sean Brady as his losing skid reached three fights.
Michael Morales Form
Michael Morales is the number 12 ranked welterweight contender with a career record of 17-0 (12 KOs, 1 Sub).
Morales compiled an 11-0 record fighting in Ecuador and Peru, earning himself a spot on Dana White’s Contenders Series in 2021.
He beat Nikolay Veretennikov on points and that was enough to land a contract with the UFC.
The 25-year-old Ecuadorian made his debut in January 2022 and made an immediate splash with a first-round knockout of Trevin Giles.
Morales backed that up later that year with a third-round knockout of Adam Fugitt, before going 2-0 in 2023 with unanimous decision wins over Max Griffin and Jake Matthews.
He then fought once in 2024 and recorded the biggest win of his career so far, knocking out Neil Magny in the opening round.
Verdict
It is fair to say that Gilbert Burns has become a ‘gatekeeper’ in the welterweight division.
A couple of years ago we would have liked his chances, but he is clearly on the downturn and Morales has the size and power to take him out.
A couple of years ago we would have liked his chances, but he is clearly on the downturn and Morales has the size and power to take him out.
Morales in Rounds 1-3
Round Group Betting
@120.00 - 3 Units
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Under 3.5 Rounds
Total Rounds
@-131.58 - 3 Units
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