In a night filled with grit, rising stars, and dominant performances, UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales delivered high-octane action despite a shortened main card. With the late cancellation of the light heavyweight bout between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig, the UFC Apex hosted just four main card contests—but each brought intensity, culminating in a breakout moment for one of the welterweight division’s brightest young talents.
Main Event: Michael Morales def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (Strikes) at 3:39 of Round 1
Michael Morales arrived in a big way Saturday night, steamrolling former title challenger Gilbert Burns in under four minutes to extend his perfect professional record to 17-0 and announce himself as a legitimate threat in the UFC’s stacked welterweight division.
Fighting in his first main event, the 25-year-old Ecuadorian looked composed from the opening bell, methodically taking the center of the Octagon and sizing up his veteran opponent. Once Morales found his timing, he unleashed a furious barrage of strikes that stunned Burns. Though the Brazilian tried to tie things up and recover, Morales broke free and resumed his assault, eventually dropping Burns and forcing the stoppage.
The win marked Morales’ second straight first-round finish and his sixth UFC victory, likely catapulting him into the Top 10 when the updated rankings drop next week. With the welterweight division teeming with rising contenders, Morales just made the kind of emphatic statement that fans and matchmakers can’t ignore.
Co-Main Event: Mairon Santos def. Sodiq Yusuff via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Ultimate Fighter winner Mairon Santos continued his winning ways with a clinical, composed performance against seasoned featherweight-turned-lightweight Sodiq Yusuff.
Santos, who edged out Francis Marshall in a debated decision earlier this year, left no doubt this time. He controlled the pace and range of the fight, landing the cleaner strikes and showing excellent defensive wrestling when Yusuff pursued takedowns. Despite moving up a weight class, Santos appeared physically strong and strategically sharp, improving to 2-0 in the UFC and signaling he could be a factor at 155 pounds.
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Dustin Stoltzfus via Unanimous Decision
In the middleweight division, Nursulton Ruziboev remained undefeated in the UFC at 185 pounds, grinding out a workmanlike win over Dustin Stoltzfus. The powerful Uzbek used relentless pressure and positional control to smother Stoltzfus over three rounds, earning scores on all three judges’ cards.
Now 4-0 at middleweight and 2-0 in 2025, Ruziboev continues to build momentum in a division hungry for fresh contenders.
Melquizael Costa def. Julian Erosa via Unanimous Decision
Kicking off the main card, Melquizael Costa edged out veteran Julian Erosa in a competitive featherweight clash that kept fans engaged from start to finish. The Brazilian showcased his well-rounded skill set and fight IQ, landing the more significant shots and managing distance well against the always-game Erosa.
Costa’s victory marks his third win in 2025 and extends his current UFC win streak to four, as he establishes himself as a rising name to watch in the 145-pound division.
Despite the main card being trimmed to four fights, UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales delivered in a big way. Morales’ dominant finish of Gilbert Burns was the highlight of the night and a pivotal moment for the welterweight title picture. With other prospects like Santos, Costa, and Ruziboev also turning in strong performances, the future of several divisions was on display inside the UFC Apex. The message was clear: the next wave is here—and they’re coming fast.
