Gilbert Burns is a multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion. Stephen Wonderboy Thompson is a former kickboxing world champion. Both have evolved into well-rounded mixed martial artists, but in the end, the grappler went back to his roots to impose his will.
Burns, fighting for the first time since being knocked out by UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in February, put himself in contention for another title shot and nudged Thompson out of line by earning a clear unanimous decision in the UFC 264 co-main event also known as the appetizer for Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 3 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.