Gilbert Burns on Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 273: “I think it’s gonna be a war”
UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns commented on his upcoming fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273, saying that “I think it’s gonna be a war.”
Burns is the No. 2 ranked welterweight contender, while Chimaev is ranked at No. 11. Despite his low ranking, Chimaev is highly regarded by fans, media, and fellow fighters, with many viewing him as a future UFC champion. However, he still needs to get that big, marquee name on his resume before he can call for the title, and beating a former title challenger such as Burns would represent that type of name.
At UFC 273 in April, Burns meets Chimaev on the main card of a stacked pay-per-view card. It’s going to be a great fight for the fans, and for both of the fighters, it represents a massive opportunity to prove they should be next in line for the welterweight belt. It’s also a fight that Burns sees as being a “war” for both men.
“I see it going very hard. Especially in the beginning, he might be very strong. I do believe he’s gonna strike a little bit, but I do believe he’s gonna grapple too. He’s gonna try and take me down, wrestle, stay heavy on top, good ground-and-pound, and that’s what I think he’s gonna do. I think I’ll have a lot of answers to the game, takedown defense, getting up, a lot of striking too. I see a war. I don’t think it’s gonna be easy for me. I don’t think it’ll be easy for him. I think we’re gonna grind down, and it’s gonna be – I see my arms getting raised, but I think it’s gonna be a war,” Burns told Helen Yee in a recent interview (h/t MMAjunkie.com).
It will be interesting to see how Burns vs. Chimaev plays out given the high stakes of the fight. These are two of the best welterweight fighters in the world, and the winner could very well get a 170lbs title shot against champion Kamaru Usman, who figures to be booked against Leon Edwards again first.
Who do you think this welterweight fight at UFC 273 between Gilbert Burns and Khamzat Chimaev?
