Fighter Stats

Age: 32 (19-03-1991)

Height: 5'11" (180cm)

Weight: 156lbs (70kg) - Previously 146 (66kg

Reach: 75.5 inches (192cm)

Country: USA

Next Fight: Olivier Aubin-Mercier (17-5) at UFC PFL 3

After making a massive name inside the UFC, "Hurricane" Shane Burgos is gearing up for his Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut this weekend. Burgos made his professional MMA debut in 2013 after training MMA since he was fourteen years old, where he scored seven straight wins, all via finish, leading him to the UFC and the PFL. He would debut in the UFC in 2016 against Tiago Trator and win by unanimous decision, showing off his striking by dropping Trator in the second round.

Shang Burgos clipping Tiago Trator in his UFC debut. Credits to: Michael Adamucci - USA TODAY Sports.

In 2017, Burgos would rack up two more wins before getting his first high-profile fight, including a Fight of The Night TKO victory over Charles Rosa and a decision win over Godofredo Pepey. At UFC 220 in January 2018, he would face Calvin Kattar in the featured bout of the main card and lose a Fight of The Night TKO to Kattar. Despite a momentum-changing second round, "Hurricane" would be caught early in the third and be finished via ground strikes.

Shane Burgos scrapping with Calvin Kattar in one of his many FOTN bouts. Credits to: Bob DeChiara - USA TODAY Sports.

This loss wouldn't deter Burgos, as he would rack up three straight victories, including two finishes, across 2018 and 2019. First, ten months after his loss to Kattar, he would submit Kurt Holobaugh via first-round armbar at UFC 230. Then, he'd win a split decision against UFC veteran Cub Swanson before finally TKOing Makwan Amirkhani in the third round at UFC 244.

Shane Burgos landing a headkick on Makwan Amirkhani before finishing him in the third. Credits to: Sarah Stier - USA TODAY Sports.

In the final leg of "Hurricane's" UFC career, he would take on Josh Emmett and Edson Barboza in back-to-back Fight of The Night performances. He would lose to Emmett via decision and Barboza by third-round KO but rebound in style on the main card of UFC 286 in 2021 against Billy Quarantillo. On any other occasion, Burgos would've received his fifth FOTY bonus. Unfortunately, the two fought just after the Fight of The Year contender Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler, stealing the bonus away from the two. Regardless, Burgos would return to the win column after three years in his hometown of New York City.

Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo throwing down at UFC 286. Credits to: Ed Mulholland - USA TODAY Sports.

The final fight of Burgos' career came against Charles Jourdain in July 2022, where he defeated the Canadian by a majority decision. With this being the final fight on his UFC contract, Burgos tested free agency and signed a massive deal with the PFL that the UFC couldn't match.

Shang Burgos beating Charles Jourdain with his grappling in his final UFC bout. Credits to: Ed Mulholland - USA TODAY Sports.

Now, Burgos heads into the biggest fight of his career, headlining against Olivier Aubin-Mercier, the 2022 PFL Lightweight Tournament winner. A win over Aubin-Mercier can skyrocket "Hurricane's" career and could earn him up to six points in the 2023 PFL Lightweight Tournament, putting him well on his way to winning the million doller prize. Do you think Shane Burgos will win the 2023 PFL Lightweight Tournement? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know you prediction in the comments below.