Khamzat Chimaev doesn't see a real challenge in Gilbert Burns: 'I will just smash him with my skills

[KazDibiase]

Khamzat Chimaev sees himself handling Gilbert Burns the same way he has every other opponent.

Unbeaten in his pro MMA career, Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has finished all of his opposition, most recently choking out Li Jingliang in the first round at UFC 267 in October.

Although former title challenger Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) would be a significant step up in competition, Chimaev envisions the same fate for him.

“All those numbers mean nothing,” Chimaev told RT Sport. “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.”

With a win over Burns, Chimaev thinks the next step would be facing the winner of the UFC 272 main event between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, either as a No. 1 contender fight or potentially for an interim welterweight title.

“I think they will give us a great fight,” Chimaev said on Masvidal vs. Covington. “Masvidal is a slight favorite for me, but Colby is also a tough guy. He fights well. We’ll see. I think it’s 50-50. I don’t care which one of them wins. I am fighting Burns now, then, after beating Burns, hopefully I will fight the winner of Masvidal-Covington because it seems like Usman has a hand injury and needs time to recover.

“I hope he will recover soon, so I am waiting for this guy, too. Looking forward to fighting him. But for now, I think the winner of my fight with Gilbert will fight the winner of Masvidal-Covington for the interim title or just for the No. 1 contender spot, and then Usman should come back, and we will fight him. This looks like a good plan to me.”

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is currently sidelined due to hand surgery but is expected to return by summer. UFC president Dana White declared Leon Edwards as the No. 1 contender, but Chimaev will look to stake his claim against Burns in a matchup that isn’t yet official but is being discussed for UFC 273 on April 9.

Chimaev says he’s currently in the process of renewing his U.S. visa, which expires at the end of March, and isn’t quite sure what the hold up is for his potential fight with Burns.

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022...-will-just-smash-him-with-my-skills-and-power

 

[JustOnce]

I'm on Khamzat bandwaggon, but if he underestimates Burns, he's going to get some serious humble pie.

But then again, this guy sold wolf tickets big time before, he was talking big time against Gerald's BJJ as if he was going to grapple, but come the fight night, zero intent to do so. He might just be talking shit, but who knows?

I still have Khamzat, but Burns isn't someone to take lightly.

 

[MyFavSport]

Khamzat is sent to us from the mma god Monster Mash and he is pledged to the graveyard smash.

 

[Midget Boxer]

Burns is severely underrated here

He has KO power, elite ground game. His chin isn't there tho

 

[Chosen]

I agree 100% burns is chinny and undersized vs real WWs. But I would love to see Chimaev’s cardio tested since COVID we have no idea how his body will react to getting pushed beyond his limits with the virus in his lungs.

 

[BowserGiga]

So Chimaev and Burns is a go... and then likely Covington after.

Chimaev Covington is a dream match.

 

[Sasha]

Let's hope he won't have these visa problems and only be able to fight once every two years.

 

[Gilday]

If Chimaev can walk through Burns like everyone else then the WW division has a serious problem

 

[Givvee]

Khamzat is way bigger, but Burns should give him a better fight than Jingliang!

 

[RedBrickCigarette]

He's not wrong. I think he fucks Burns up standing early.

 

[Luckyme]

Burns is severely underrated here

He has KO power, elite ground game. His chin isn't there tho

An elite ground game doesn’t mean much against Khamzat’s smothering style. Burns’ only path to victory is a sub off his back because he’s inevitably going to get taken down. Those are low percentage subs in MMA to begin with but with Khamzat relentlessly raining down punches on him, there is almost zero opportunity for Burns to mount any real offense.

 

[Unheralded Truth]

GOATmaev bless

 

[VinceArch]

This fight will be awesome.

 

[StoneColdSteveAustin]

Khamzat is the most annoying personality in MMA

 

[Bork Neslar]

“Masvidal is a slight favorite for me, but Colby is also a tough guy".

 

[Amsterdamn]

Khamzat is the most annoying personality in MMA

For a redneck

 

[StoneColdSteveAustin]

For a redneck

For anyone with eyes and ears. A Worse personality than yours.

 

[Cowboy Kurt Angle]

Never underestimate your opponent

 

[Slatersan]

Wouldnt be surprised if he flatlines burns. Burns is chinny. Its not a good idea to underestimate burns though since he has all the offensive skills needed to smash top fighters. I doubt Khamzat is underestimating him. Just confident that he will win.

 

[Kryptt]

I wouldn't underestimate Burns, plus anyone can get tagged or misstep...

Still, without question, backing Kham here.