For the first time in his career, Khamzat Chimaev looked vulnerable in a fight with a three-round war against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273.
While the undefeated welterweight eventually walked away with a win, Chimaev had to battle through some very dangerous moments, and he blamed himself for getting put in those positions by failing to heed the advice of his coaches.
” I was too excited for him to be knocked out,” Chimaev said at UFC 273’s post-fight press conference. “I told everyone all week that I would knock him out in just one round. He was my goal. I was wrong from the start.
“The guy was tough, I didn’t accept that. From the first second to the last second, I tried to finish him. Next time I will try to get a bit smarter. I’m going to smash somebody.
“It wasn’t something surprising from him, but it was wrong for me. I was told by my coach that you are more skilled at technical work and love to get down. I just want to take his head off. Next time I will work for the .”
Chimaev was firing from the start of the fight. He almost earned a win in the second round, when he took Burns down with an ugly straight right hand. Burns not only survived but stormed back in the second round with a series of powerful punches that opened a cut on Chimaev’s face and had him wobbled during a couple of exchanges.
While he plans to return to the fight and observe it, Chimaev is able to already see his weaknesses after taking his first decision.
” I already know [what I did wrong],” Chimaev stated. He said, “From the start, I attempted to knock him out. My coach said to me start slowly, work with your jab and defend. After some wild s***, I went in to him. I was excited and he fell. He was my last straw. I needed to let him up and knock him out again.
“I’m going to watch my fight [one more time] what’s happening there. This ***. is irrelevant to me. I will fight against another .”
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In the weeks and days leading up to UFC 273, Chimaev engaged in fiery trash talk at both the press conference and the weigh-ins, where they were forced to separate on the stage.
Following their fight on Saturday, Chimaev not only embraced Burns in the octagon but also paid tribute to him while speaking to UFC color commentator Joe Rogan. As he was being treated backstage for medical reasons, he stopped by to visit the title challenger.
While Chimaev doesn’t intend to alter his personality, he acknowledged that his perception of his behavior may have been incorrect. He said that he was always trying to create anticipation when he fights but that it does not diminish his admiration for his competitors.
” I said that for the UFC guys, they don’t think I respect them,” Chimaev stated. This is the game. He made some errors and I played with him. That s ***. is my favorite. All the UFC s ***. have been my constant viewing. I try to learn something from everyone and I respect all my opponents. This is what everyone does for their families.
“Actually it was hard to fight him, because I can see his children, and they ask me to fight their daddy. I replied ***, I’m not going to need that. I do not want to be a fighter with a daddy. I want a killer, like me. Someone who can kill someone and doesn’t care about ***. He goes to me, I say I respect you brother. Sorry for the punches, but we do this for our family and for fun .”
If there is one advantage to fighting like this, it’s that Chimaev has proven many critics wrong about how he can face adversity. He went up against much better competition, yet still found a way to win.
Chimaev took more damage on Saturday than he had in 10 previous fights in his career combined. But in a strange way, that’s exactly what he wanted.
“I like that s***,” he said. I love to make my face sweaty, kick someone and punch someone. Make money, I got $50gs. I’m happy.
“Before, I didn’t get that fight. This was my first fight of this type. I loved it. I was waiting for that for a long time. This fight was the result of 10 bouts and 10 ends. I bled, sweat and fought three rounds.”
The win will move Chimaev to the top of UFC’s welterweight division. He will be very close at a possible fight against Kamaru Usman, the reigning champion. UFC President Dana White teased that a fight between Chimaev, Colby Covington and the two-time champion had been planned for later in this year.
It appears “Borz” is up for the challenge. Then again, he seems ready for anybody the UFC throws at him.
“If Dana White doesn’t go into jail and that guy doesn’t call them, then I’m happy to fight him and smash his head,” Chimaev stated about Covington. “Ofcourse [I knock him out].
” I said everyone. Everybody will be fought. They said [Gilbert Burns] was No. 2 and Khamzat is No. 11, and the fight was nothing good for Gilbert. Who cares about that s***? We all want to fight each other and make money. We fight for our families. I don’t care who I fight. I get my money, I get my $50g’s, I knock somebody out and I am happy.”
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