2011 BJJ world champ and lightweight prospect Gilbert Burns picks up first round sub at WOCS 20 in Brazil

July 30, 2012

In a busy weekend for Brazilian MMA, Rio De Janeiro promotion Watch Out Combat Show returned to the Bank of Brazil Athletic Association Gymnasium for WOCS 20. The 12 fight card featured no less than half of dozen Brazilian prospects with legit hopes of a future UFC or Bellator contract. In the main event six year pro Francisco Cylderlan Lima da Silva (22-6) upset up and comer Rogerio Silva de Souza (10-4) via close split decision.

The prevailing storyline for WOCS 20 was the continued development of former three time BJJ World Champion Gilbert Burns (2-0) in MMA. A four star prospect at 155 pounds, Burns was handed well respected Rio De Janeiro grappler Vinicius Bohrer (7-2) for his second pro bout. In a brief one round affair Burns separated himself quickly from Bohrer once the fight hit the floor.

Now a member of Vitor Belfort's MMA team in Las Vegas, Burns brought the fight to the ground with a slick throw that caught Bohrer off guard. Burns smothered Bohrer on the floor and took his back with a slicing transition. The 26 year old Burns wrapped up the fight with a rear naked choke that Bohrer was unable to escape before the first round bell.

Fresh off a 2011 World Championship in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Burns appears to be fully focused on his MMA crossover. A three time BJJ champion, Burns brings a different level of grappling accomplishments into the cage. Through two pro and one amateur MMA fights, Burns has shown ability to take the fight floor and run past his opponents on the mat.

Burns was first bitten by the MMA bug when he worked exclusively with UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort during one of his training camps. Based on his BJJ accomplished at 167 pounds in gi and no-gi competitions Burns enters MMA as a solid four star lightweight prospect. Burns debuts in the 2012 edition of the ULTMMA50, a pound for pound prospect top 50, at number 48.

Watch Out Combat Show 20 results
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

*Francisco Cylderlan Lima da Silva def. *Rogerio Silva de Souza by Split Decision
*Gilbert Burns def. *Vinicius Bohrer by Submission Rear Naked Choke 3:00 R1
Giovani Diniz def. Daniel Abelha by TKO (Punches) R2
*Guilherme Gomes def. *Wendel Oliveira by Submission Rear Naked Choke R2
Alexandre Barros def. Ederson Moreira by TKO (Punches) R2
Jose Lucas Fabiano de Melo def. Antonuce Conceicao by Unanimous Decision
Gustavo Franca def. Helio Antonio Martins by Submission Arm Triangle Choke R1
Gerson da Silva Conceicao def. Paulo Vitor by TKO (Punches) R2
*Thiago Santos def. Denis Figueira da Silva by TKO (Head Kick and Punches) R1
Rodrigo Magalhaes def. Leandro Sousa by Submission Brabo Choke R3

*Prospect to watch