It looks like Chimaev is all ready for Gilbert Burns and at UFC 273 it is going to be special.
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Everyone’s looking forward to Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns in the forthcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight bout.
On the main card of UFC 273 in Florida on April 9, Chimaev will face renowned grappler Gilbert Burns. Chimaev is a massive betting favourite in this fight, and a shot at the welterweight title might be on the line. Chimaev’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, “Finfou” Alan do Nascimento, a black belt from the infamous Checkmat programme, spoke with Sherdog this week about his student’s impending battle.
Nascimento says, “As I told you a few months ago, the only problem a coach has with Khamzat is convincing him to train less. If you don’t control him, he trains all day long.”
Chimaev is not the only combatant undergoing rigorous training; Darren Till of England has joined him as a new brother-in-arms. The two have put forth a lot of effort to enhance their talents together.
“Definitely, it was a great partnership [between Chimaev and Till],” “Finfou” stated. “At the same time they look like children in the daily routine, they are very professional by the training time and help each other a lot. I truly hope McGregor accepts the invitation to come to train with us.”
Nascimento talked with Sherdog immediately after Chimaev’s spectacular victory over Jingliang Li, in which he congratulated his student and predicted potential matches. Apart from champion Kamaru Usman, “Finfou” listed Burns as Chimaev’s most challenging opponent in the category. This, according to Finfou, was a ruse to get a fight planned.
Nascimento admittingly says, “After that interview, many people came to complain with me, but today I can recognize that was a tactic to get my fighter facing the best-ranked opponent. But of course, the numbers prove that Burns is really one of the most dangerous guys in the division.”
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Even though Chimaev only has a blue belt in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), according to the BJJ instructor, the Swede is ready for everything Burns throws at him.
Nascimento strongly said, “This is MMA. I have many high-level jiu-jitsu guys in Sweden who came to help me with sparring. I have no doubt Chimaev is prepared wherever the fight goes.”
Nascimento was hesitant to predict how the bout would go, despite his undeniable confidence in Chimaev. Nascimento could only state one thing with confidence about “Durinho,” an undeniably formidable opponent.
Nascimento concluded by saying, “Mindset will be decisive in that combat. The one who is better prepared to deal with frustration will win. The only certainty I have is that fans will see one of the best fights of UFC history”.
Stephen Thompson declines the quick turnaround fight and wants Usman next.
