Gilbert Burns predicts ‘crazy action and a finish’ in huge Khamzat Chimaev showdown at UFC 273

The bookmakers and many MMA aficionados are dismissing Gilbert Burns’ chances at UFC 273 on Saturday night. 

Ranked second in the division with a wealth of experience behind him and a well-rounded game, perhaps it says more about the hype surrounding Khamzat Chimaev than the Brazilian that he is being counted out.

But the fact that Burns was one of the few men willing to take on the Chechen-born phenom speaks volumes of his self-belief. 

Gilbert Burns takes on Khamzat Chimaev on the main card of UFC 273 this weekend

Chimaev has looked sensational so far in the UFC and remains undefeated  

Burns has won seven of his last eight, only falling short against the pound-for-pound No 1 and welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman. 

He’s no stranger to big fights and carries the experience advantage on Saturday. 

Burns exclusively told Sportsmail: ‘Recently all my fights have been big. If you go back, Demian Maia was big, Woodley was a big one, Kamaru was a big one, Stephen Thompson was a big one. 

‘I’m still going to this fight nervous, feeling the same feelings but a little bit more experienced and relaxed going into the fight. 

‘He is just another tough guy in my way. I’ve been there with a lot of tough guys, there’s not a lot of expectation other than go out there and perform my best.’ 

Burns believes he can give Chimaev a harder test than he’s received so far 

But Burns is adamant he can provide Burns with a far more difficult test on the ground and feet then he’s encountered before. 

He went on: ‘With the grappling, I don’t think he’ll feel the same things he was feeling before, no defence, no get-ups, no threats, on the grappling aspect I will show him a lot more threats than he’s used to seeing. On the striking, the speed, power and my experience, being calm and relaxed while throwing heat.’

Even though fans have latched onto this fight as a must-watch, it will only run for a maximum of 15 minutes as a three-rounder. 

That said, Burns gives it little chance of going the distance anyway. 

‘I see a finish either way, either I’ll finish him or he’ll finish me,’ he went on. ‘I don’t see that fight going the distance. But I do believe there will be crazy action, throwing heat from the beginning, maybe he’ll wrestle a bit or he might feel confident enough with his striking. 

‘I saw the fight a lot of different ways in my head already, I’ve seen him strike and wrestle but I will have a lot of answers to both things. 

Burns has the kind of experience that his Chechen-born opponent is lacking 

‘On the floor I’m going to have so many answers, submission striking, sweeps, that match up makes me very excited.’

With Burns ranked No 2 and Chimaev so highly regarded, you might think this fight will determine Usman’s next challenger, after the Nigerian faces Leon Edwards. 

But the Brazilian thinks that all depends on the manner of a finish. 

‘I would love to say this is a title eliminator but it is a maybe. It depends on the performance. Who knows, if Leon beats Usman, it will be a rematch right away. I just need to try and finish this guy from minute one. If I do that then maybe I get a title shot but if Leon Edwards beats Kamaru then I’m not going to wait eight months, I’ll get another fight, there’s not a lot of expectation.’ 

Edwards is still waiting for a date to fight Usman but the Birmingham native was confirmed by Dana White as being next in line. 

Usman will start as the favourite but Burns gives ‘Rocky’ every chance of an upset. 

He added: ‘I think Leon has been there before with Kamaru so he will adjust a lot of things, I do believe he’s very underrated because of his persona and because he wasn’t that active. 

Leon Edwards will finally have his UFC welterweight title shot later this year 

Bookmakers are giving Chimaev more than an 80 per cent chance of winning 

‘But I think he’s very, very good, high level athlete with tricky striking. He has improved his grappling and wrestling so much, it will be a very hard match-up for Kamaru. 

‘Leon is younger, he’s been there already and felt the guy, I think Leon has a big chance, very close but I give him a big chance.’

Burns used to train with Usman before they fought each other for the title. The build-up was edgy, tense and occasionally crossed over into the personal but the Rio de Janeiro-born fighter has learned plenty from the experience.  

‘I was too emotional, a little bit angry, I think he got to my head with certain things he said before the fight,’ he admitted. 

‘I started strong, didn’t pace myself or mix it up. The level of confidence and growth after the fight was so big. My goal is still not to rematch Kamaru, it is to become a champion. It would be cool to get the rematch but it is nothing personal right there. 

‘My two goals in the UFC are to fight the best guys and to become a champion.’

All signs point to Chimaev being among the ‘best guys’. Whether Burns has another crack at his second ambition could well be determined on Saturday. 

UFC Welterweight contender and multiple-time BJJ world champion Gilbert Burns is an ambassador for Love Hemp