By MMA Fight Coverage Penny Buffington | April 24, 2025
The UFC is set to bring fireworks back to the APEX in Las Vegas with a high-stakes welterweight main event as No. 8 ranked Gilbert Burns takes on surging No. 12 contender Michael Morales in what promises to be a thrilling clash of styles and generations. UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales goes down on Saturday, May 17, airing exclusively on ESPN+ in both English and Spanish.
The Main Event: Experience vs. Undefeated Youth
Gilbert “Durinho” Burns (22-8), fighting out of Boca Raton, Florida by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, returns to the Octagon for his first appearance of 2025. A veteran of the welterweight wars, Burns brings world-class jiu-jitsu and explosive knockout power. Having secured victories over the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Neil Magny, and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, Burns looks to reassert his position in the title mix and halt the momentum of one of the division’s fastest-rising stars.
That star is Ecuador’s Michael Morales (17-0), representing Tijuana, Mexico. The undefeated 24-year-old phenom has made waves at 170 pounds, showcasing devastating striking and fight-ending instincts with finishes over Neil Magny, Jake Matthews, and Max Griffin. Now stepping into his first UFC main event, Morales eyes a Top 10 breakthrough and a massive statement win over a proven contender.
Co-Main Event: Craig vs. Bellato in Light Heavyweight Showdown
In the co-main slot, fan-favorite Paul Craig (17-9-1) returns to the light heavyweight division, bringing his signature submission game back to the forefront. The Scottish finisher has stunned opponents like Jamahal Hill, “Shogun” Rua, and current champ Magomed Ankalaev with his grappling prowess. He now welcomes Brazil’s Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-1), a Dana White’s Contender Series standout who made a splash in his debut with a dominant finish over Ihor Potieria. Bellato, a finishing machine with 11 stoppages, aims to hand Craig a loss and climb into the mix at 205 pounds.
Stacked Card with Rising Talent and Veteran Names
The event also features several must-see matchups:
- Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa – Expect chaos in this featherweight banger featuring two all-action strikers.
- Sodiq Yusuff takes on The Ultimate Fighter 32 winner Mairon Santos in a compelling lightweight battle between proven talent and surging promise.
- Jared Gordon vs. Thiago Moises pits lightweight veterans in a fight that could be a sleeper for Fight of the Night.
- Gabe Green welcomes Brazilian newcomer Matheus Camilo to the Octagon in a lightweight clash.
- Middleweight action includes Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Nursulton Ruziboev, who enters with a staggering 35 career wins.
- A pivotal women’s strawweight fight sees Luana Pinheiro meet Tecia Pennington in a bout with rankings implications.
- Elise Reed squares off against Brazil’s Denise Gomes in another exciting strawweight tilt.
- HyunSung Park, a Road to UFC Asia standout, takes on DWCS alum Carlos Hernandez at flyweight.
- Brazilian bantamweights Luana Santos and Tainara Lisboa aim to steal the show in an explosive prelim bout.
Event Info & VIP Access
UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales kicks off with prelims at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Fans looking for the ultimate experience can purchase UFC APEX VIP Experience packages via UFCVIP.com, which include premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, and more.
For fight fans, May 17 is circled on the calendar—and with a card this stacked, it’s not just about the main event. It’s about seeing the next wave of contenders rise and veterans make their stand.
Stay tuned to MMA Fight Coverage for all fight week updates, analysis, and post-fight breakdowns.
