Gilbert Burns, the Sole Link Between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev, Dissects UFC 294 Showdown
In the lead-up to the electrifying UFC 294 co-main event, where Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev are set to clash in the Octagon, there’s one man who can offer unique insights into this high-stakes showdown – Gilbert Burns. Having shared the cage with both of these elite fighters, Burns sheds light on where each of them holds the edge.
For Khamzat Chimaev, Burns highlights the advantage of having had a full training camp, even though it was initially tailored for a different opponent, Paulo Costa. On the flip side, Kamaru Usman is stepping into this battle with minimal preparation, except for a few days before his departure to Abu Dhabi.
When it comes to Kamaru, Gilbert emphasizes the immeasurable value of his vast experience. Usman has navigated through almost every situation within the UFC, a claim that can’t be made for Chimaev, who will be entering his seventh UFC fight compared to Kamaru’s impressive 18 appearances under Dana White’s banner.
A particularly noteworthy fact is that two of those fights were against Gilbert Burns. Kamaru Usman emerged victorious in their battle, which headlined UFC 258 in February 2021, securing a third-round TKO. The fight was fiercely competitive, especially in the early rounds, until Usman seized control, ultimately retaining his title.
In contrast, Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert went toe-to-toe over a year later at UFC 273 in April 2022, with Chimaev claiming a unanimous decision win. While the judges’ scorecards favored Chimaev, many believe Burns might have actually won this razor-close bout. It marked the first instance when Chimaev faced significant resistance, and although he may have bent, he certainly didn’t break.
During the interview, Gilbert delves into numerous aspects of the impending fight, including speed, punching power, strength, and ground skills. Kamaru Usman, who accepted the fight on just 10 days’ notice, is currently viewed as the underdog, with most sportsbooks offering odds at around +250 for him (meaning a $100 bet could win you $250, whereas the reverse is true for Chimaev).
While Gilbert didn’t outright pick a winner, he did offer valuable insight, stating, “I think you should put a lot of money on Kamaru Usman.” He went on to emphasize the closeness of the fight, with a slight 53% edge for Chimaev, attributing it to size and a full training camp, making this showdown a highly anticipated battle that’s too close to call.
With the expertise of a fighter who’s been in the cage with both contenders, the upcoming UFC 294 co-main event is sure to be an intense clash that fans won’t want to miss.
Khamzat Chimaev Commits to UFC in a Long-Term Deal
Khamzat Chimaev, one of the UFC’s emerging stars, has penned a lucrative long-term contract with the organization.
Khamzat Chimaev (12-0), aged 29, is on the cusp of a compelling middleweight showdown with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3) at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. His manager, Majdi Shammas, confirmed to ESPN that Chimaev inked this fresh contract on Tuesday.
While specific details of the agreement were not disclosed, it secures Chimaev’s exclusive presence within the UFC’s Octagon for the foreseeable future. Notably, Chimaev had two fights left on his previous contract before negotiating this extension.
UFC president Dana White has made it clear that this Saturday’s bout will serve as a middleweight No. 1 contender fight, with the victor earning the opportunity to challenge the newly crowned champion, Sean Strickland, for the coveted belt in their next outing.
Hailing from Chechnya and now based in Dubai, Chimaev has been widely regarded as a potential champion in multiple weight divisions since his UFC debut in 2020. He has showcased his skills in both the 170-pound and 185-pound categories.
Last September, the UFC had initially set him up for a high-profile encounter with Nate Diaz at UFC 279, but Chimaev’s weight cut woes led to a late change, and he was eventually matched against Kevin Holland. His only other stumbling block in his UFC journey has been consistency. He faced a year-long hiatus in 2020 due to health issues and encountered various reasons for inactivity this year.
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