Michael Bisping is picking Khamzat Chimaev to continue his incredible run inside the octagon.
In a welterweight matchup most fans have circled on their calendar, the undefeated Chimaev gets his biggest test to date at UFC 273 this Saturday when he faces one-time title challenger Gilbert Burns. The featured bout takes place during a rare six-fight pay-per-view main card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
Bisping has recently broken down the matchup via his YouTube Channel . He believes that the stars are aligned for Chimaev, who will get his hand up again.
” This is hard one but I’m going towards Khamzat,” Bisping stated. You can call it that I was sold on the hype. It was amazing to see what he did for Li Jingliang. That was so impressive. Jingliang isn’t a slouch. He’s tough, with lots of skills, and Khamzat took him to his room. It was so impressive. He was speaking to Dana White about being a champion and about 185 [also]..
” There’s a reason he is so confident. He isn’t stupid. He’s not being arrogant or getting too excited by a bit of success. Then he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert, there’s a reason for all of this. This is going to be an interesting matchup because it’s what I want to see: Khamzat wrestling Gilbert Burns. It’s going to be an exciting scenario .”
Chimaev is a massive favorite heading into his fifth octagon appearance following four impressive finishes. “Borz” has not only made things look easy from an offensive perspective, but he has only absorbed one significant strike in those four victories. The No. 10-ranked fighter in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings completely decimated Li Jingliang via submission in just over three minutes at UFC 267 in October.
Burns is 5-1 since moving up to the welterweight division, with the lone defeat coming in his championship opportunity against Kamaru Usman at UFC 259 in February 2021. “Durinho” hurt Usman early and looked to be seconds away from becoming champ, but Usman was able to compose himself and stop Burns with strikes in the third. Number. 4 ranked welterweight in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings was able to bounce back with a unanimous decision win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 this past July.
While Burns’ jiu-jitsu and experience could play a big factor in Bisping’s eyes, the former middleweight champion sees Chimaev stepping up to the challenge and earning himself a shot at the 170-pound world title.
” He needs to ensure his jiu jitsu defenses are on point. Gilbert Burns can catch him if they’re not,” Bisping stated. “[Burns is] is world-class in mixed martial arts. But it’s not the ground that’s dangerous. Khamzat will pick up the man and throw him to the ground, or is he going to say “F***y, I don’t care. This is how I’m going to fight.”
“My pick? Khamzat Chimiaev. He will do it again. I believe that. I think it’s going to be unbelievable because if he does win, whoever wins between Usman and Leon Edwards, he should be next.”
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