Report: Gilbert Burns Rebooked After Weight-Related Cancelation, Faces Lando Vannata in April

Gilbert Burns might have blown his chance to fight this weekend, but it seems he didn't have to wait long for a new engagement.

According to a Thursday report from Combate, Burns will meet Lando Vannata in a lightweight contest at UFC on Fox 29, scheduled for April 14 at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., headlined by a 155-pound showdown between Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier.

Burns was scheduled to face Canadian Olivier Aubin-Mercier this Saturday night at UFC on Fox 28 in Orlando, Fla. However, “Durinho” was pulled from the contest on Wednesday by the promotion when he reportedly showed up in the Magic City weighing 186 pounds, 31 pounds over his contracted weight and UFC officials feared his weight cut would have dangerous medical repercussions.

Burns, 31, has gone 5-2 in the Octagon since making his UFC debut in July 2014. After dropping a September 2016 unanimous decision to fellow Brazilian Michel Prazeres, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace got back in the win column in September, knocking out Jason Saggo in the second round.

Jackson-Wink MMA’s Vannata made his first UFC appearance on short notice in July 2016, stepping in on short notice for an injured Michael Chiesa against Tony Ferguson and shocking “El Cucuy” early with his unorthodox striking before succumbing to a second-round brabo choke. Despite a 1-2-1 mark in the Octagon, “Groovy Lando’s” exotic, all-action style has made him a quick promotional favorite, as shown most recently in his bloody brawl to a split draw with Bobby Green at UFC 216 in October.