Khamzat Chimaev isn’t looking at Gilbert Burns as a true challenge despite his credentials.
Chimaev and Burns have been linked to a potential showdown on April 9. The bout hasn’t been made official but if a deal can be done, then reports indicate the fight would take place at UFC 273. It would certainly be the biggest test of Chimaev’s young pro MMA career up to this point.
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Chimaev Dismisses Burns As A Challenge
Khamzat Chimaev isn’t short on confidence. At just 10-0 in his pro MMA career with four fights under the UFC banner, “Borz” has traded barbs online with elite MMA fighters.
Speaking to RT Sport, Chimaev said he doesn’t look at Gilbert Burns as someone who can threaten his hype train.
“All those numbers mean nothing. To be honest I don’t see a real challenge in him. We’ll see, everything may happen in a fight but I’m confident as usual. I think, I will just smash him with my skills and power. I feel that way. He might feel different, but I will go there and do what I did the last time.”
It’s quite the statement from Chimaev considering that Burns is right at the top of the heap at welterweight. He challenged Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship back in Feb. 2021. While he had early success, Burns was ultimately stopped via third-round TKO.
Chimaev is fresh off a dominant submission victory over Li Jingliang back in Oct. 2021. The victory earned “Borz” his fourth straight “Performance of the Night” bonus.
