Muhammad vs Burns

Who won Muhammad vs Burns?

Belal Muhammad beat Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest during the co-main event of UFC 288, on Saturday 6th May 2023 at Prudential Center in Newark.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Belal Muhammad.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 5 rounds in the Welterweight division, which meant the weight limit was 170 pounds (12.1 stone or 77.1 KG).

Muhammad vs Burns stats

Belal Muhammad stepped into the octagon with a record of 22 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws, 5 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 1 by submission.

Gilbert Burns made his way to the cage with a record of 22 wins, 5 losses and 0 draws, 6 of those wins coming by knock out and 9 by submission.

Belal Muhammad's UFC record stood at 14-3-0, while Gilbert Burns' came in at 15-7-0.

The stats suggested Burns had a slight advantage in power over Muhammad, with a 27% knock out percentage over Muhammad's 23%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Burns had a massive advantage over Muhammad, boasting a 41% submission rate over Muhammad's 5%.

Belal Muhammad was the younger man by 2 years, at 35 years old.

Muhammad had a height advantage of 1 inch over Burns. Despite this, both fighters had equal reach.

Muhammad's experience as a professional fighter was relatively equal to Burns', having had 2 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2012, 6 months later than Burns, whose first professional fight was in 2012. He had fought 15 more professional rounds, 79 to Burns' 64.

Muhammad vs Burns form

Muhammad had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going to the judges 3 times.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Sean Brady at UFC 280 on 22nd October 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Previous to that, he had beaten Vicente Luque at UFC Fight Night: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 on 16th April 2022 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night on 18th December 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest.

Before that, he was victorious against Demian Maia at UFC 263 on 12th June 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Gila River Arena, Glendale, United States.

His fight against Leon Edwards at UFC Vegas 21 on 13th March 2021 ended in a no contest.

Gilbert Burns had beaten 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 on 9th March 2024 by knockout in the 3rd round at Kaseya Center, Miami, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Belal Muhammad at UFC 288 on 6th May 2023 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at Prudential Center, Newark.

Going into that contest, he had won against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287 on 8th April 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Miami-Dade Arena, Miami.

Before that, he had beaten Neil Magny at UFC 283 on 21st January 2023 by submission in the 1st round at Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He had been defeated by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273 on 9th April 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, United States.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Gilbert Burns had been fighting more than Belal Muhammad.

Going to this contest, Belal Muhammad had last fought 1 year, 6 months and 4 days ago, while Gilbert Burns' last outing had been 1 month and 17 days ago.

Muhammad's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 13 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 16 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 15 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3 rounds on average.

Burns' last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years and 17 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 4 months and 29 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 15 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Muhammad vs Burns?

Belal Muhammad was a 5/4 (+130) underdog going into the contest, while Gilbert Burns made his way into the ring at 67/100 (-150) with oddsmakers.