Morales TKOs Burns in 1st round of UFC main event
Michael Morales made quick work of Gilbert Burns to secure the biggest win of his career.
The rising welterweight contender stopped Burns at the 3:39 mark of the first round in the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Morales remained undefeated with the victory, lifting his professional record to 18-0.
Michael Morales destroys Gilbert Burns in round 1! #UFCVegas106 pic.twitter.com/oOqxatf1oP
— TakeruCigarra (@TakeruCigarra) May 18, 2025
Morales became the first to finish Burns in either the first or second round at 170 pounds.
Morales got off to a fast start against Burns and never let up. He tagged "Durinho" with a barrage of punches three minutes into the round before rocking him again moments later. Morales clipped Burns with a right hand and started teeing off with punches as Burns slumped to the canvas.
Morales, a 25-year-old from Ecuador, is now 6-0 in the UFC. Morales, No. 12 in the welterweight division coming in, will likely join the top 10 next week after taking out No. 8 Burns.
Burns, a 38-year-old former title challenger from Brazil, has now lost four straight fights.