Gabriel Almeida taps out Gilbert Burns with heel hook at UFC BJJ 12

Gabriel Almeida submitted Gilbert Burns with a first-round heel hook at UFC BJJ 12 in Las Vegas on Thursday, handing the retired MMA fighter his first defeat under the UFC BJJ banner.

Burns, known as “Durinho”, had entered the event on the back of a tech fall loss to Khamzat Chimaev under wrestling rules at RAF less than a month earlier. He had previously gone unbeaten in UFC BJJ competition, tapping out Horlando Monteiro with a rear-naked choke in his debut back in June.

The match began with Burns shooting for a takedown early, and he managed to escape a guillotine attempt from Almeida in the process. Burns found himself on top but struggled to impose his game from that position. Almeida eventually worked his way to top position, initially threatening the neck before transitioning to a leg attack. Burns fought to defend, but Almeida locked in the heel hook and forced the tap.

UFC BJJ 12 also featured two championship bouts at the top of the card. Cassia Moura retained the flyweight title with a split decision victory over Adele Fornarino, while Renato Canuto claimed the vacant lightweight belt by defeating Ethan Crelinsten via unanimous decision in the co-main event.