The crowd was not pleased once Chimaev was announced as the winner of UFC 273 fight against Gilbert Burns. Heavily favored Chimaev, struggled for the first time in his very young MMA career against a proven veteran.
Burns gave it his all, and really wobbled Chimaev once he shook off his nerves. Prior to UFC 273 there was talk that Alan Finfou would graduate Chimaev to the rank of Jiu jitsu purple belt if he managed to defeat Gilbert Burns.
Khamzat, who himself is a three-time Swedish national wrestling champion, started training BJJ several years ago at Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden. Chimaev was awarded his BJJ blue belt last year by his BJJ instructor Alan ‘Finfou’ Nascimento.
Khamzat has claimed that his instructor Nascimento and Burns have fought three times in BJJ tournaments and all three times Burns ended up on the losing side.
Chimaev says: “My coach Alan has beaten Gilbert Burns three times at BJJ tournaments as far as I can remember.”
The interviewer then goes on to say: “So he (Alan Nascimento) must realize that Gilbert is a way better fighter than all the previous ones you have fought?”
To which Chimaev responds, “Yeah. I think Alan knows how good Burns is, but he also knows what level I am on.”
True to his word, Nascimento promoted Chimaev in the cage. Take a look: