The much-anticipated return of Khamzat Chimaev is finally close.
In a huge step up in competition, Chimaev will be facing the number 2 ranked welterweight in the world, Gilbert Burns.
Burns is one of the few fighters to have actually been calling out the Chechen fighter for a fight. Both of these fighters had been calling each other out for months until the UFC finally settled a date for the Welterweight clash. The date became official last week – April 10th the fight is on!
Chimaev’s UFC run has been as close to “flawless” as you can get in MMA. The Chechen fighter has 4 fights in the UFC and has finished all of them. Khamzat landed 254 strikes total during these four fights and has absorbed only two punches total.
Meanwhile, this is the first time Khamzat will face someone as “battle-tested” as Burns. The Brazilian recently challenged Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title and is one of the few fighters who could actually put the Nigerian champion in danger.
During an interview with TMZ Sports, Burns talked about his upcoming fight against the Chechen star.
“People’s main event, that’s the people’s main event and I’m super excited,” The Brazilian stated, “I was looking for a fight, no one wanted to take it, this guy was looking for a fight and no one was taking it,”
“I kind of knew, before they offered me I talked to Ali, my manager, and said, “If they ask for this guy, let’s get that fight”.
“And now it’s here, the fight is done and on April 9 we’re gonna see if the hype is real or not, I’m gonna answer a lot of questions on April 9”.
Burns then talked about his thoughts on his opponent’s abilities:
“I think he is very tough, I think he is very good,” Burns said, “but let’s be honest, he has never seen anyone of my caliber, grappling-wise, Jiu-Jitsu, striking, speed. In a lot of attributes”
“[also]” experience, I’ve been there many times in the UFC. Title fights, Main events. I think I got a lot of experience.
“But still I see that guy very very tough, very very dangerous and I’m taking him very seriously.”
The reporter then asked Burns if he had a prediction for the fight.
“The perfect scenario would be for me to go there and take the guy out with a punch”, The Brazilian tells the TMZ reporter, “But, I think it’s gonna be a war, I don’t think it’s gonna be that easy,”
“I think my arm is raised, I don’t know how, maybe a submission may be a knockout, but, I don’t see a decision.”
Burns then predict a finish for the fight “Second round or third round finish.”
One of the most anticipated fights of the year, Burns vs Chimaev will happen at UFC 273 on April 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.
Khamzat will put his undefeated record on the line against the Brazilian who has won 7 out of his last 8 fights.
The winner will likely earn a title shot against the champion Kamaru Usman.