Gilbert Burns weighs in on whether Khamzat Chimaev is the "real deal"; open to fighting 'Borz' if other welterweights keep ducking him
According to Gilbert Burns, Khamzat Chimaev is the "real deal" and they "will meet very soon." The former welterweight title-challenger weighed in on the No.10-ranked welterweight amidst reports of a potential fight being booked between the two.
Khamzat Chimaev has blown his competition away in his first four fights in the UFC, defeating John Phillips, Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert and most recently Li Jingliang at UFC 267. Following the win over Jingliang, Chimaev broke into the top ten in the welterweight rankings.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Burns had this to say about 'Borz':
"I think he is real. I think I will face him soon. I think he needs one more win and I think he will have one, and if guys like Colby don't even say my name and Masvidal and Leon why not? I'll give the opportunity to him."
Check out Gilbert Burns' interview with MMA Junkie below:
Gilbert Burns is coming off a convincing win over Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson at UFC 264 and could present an interesting stylistic matchup against Chimaev. While both men have shown that they have knockout power, the intrigue in the matchup lies in the battle between Burns' elite-level Brazilian jiu jitsu and Chimaev's dominant wrestling.
@KChimaev @bullyb170 @Leon_edwardsmma I’m always in for a fight!
"The perfect fight will be me" - Gilbert Burns believes Colby Covington should fight him next
Gilbert Burns has made it very clear that the fight he wants next is a showdown with Colby Covington. According to 'Durinho', UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will likely face Leon Edwards next for the title. In the meantime, he welcomes a bout against 'Chaos'.
"For Colby? The perfect fight will be me. That's the fight that I want, he knows that's what I want."
Gilbert Burns calls out Colby Covington… youtu.be/47nmdlFX94Y via @YouTube @ChaelSonnen 👀👀👀
Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns are ranked No.1 and No. 2 respectively in the UFC welterweight rankings but both have now lost in title fights against Kamaru Usman. With the No.3-ranked Leon Edwards possibly getting the next crack at the belt, booking a fight between Covington and Burns would make sense.