Khamzat Chimaev faced the greatest challenge of his meteoric career this weekend when he took on the #2 UFC welterweight, Gilbert Burns. Although Burns managed to stuff Khamzat’s 100% finish rate, ultimately Chimaev was able to earn a decision win. Khamzat, however, was displeased with his own inability to finish Gilbert Burns, and admitted to the mistake he made in doing so at the post-fight press conference.
“I was too excited to knock him out. I was saying to everybody all week I was going to knock him out in one round. I tried to knock him out. That was wrong for me, from the beginning.
Khamzat Reveals Mistake in Burns Fight, Promises to “Smash” Next Opponent
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’m going to work to be a little bit smarter. I’m going to smash somebody.
It wasn’t something surprising from him, but it was wrong for me. My coach told me all the time, you love to throw down and work more technical. I just want to take his head off. Next time, I’m going to work for that.”
Chimaev is already keenly anticipating his next UFC outing, most likely a matchup against title contender Colby Covington. Burns, an elite grappler, caused trouble for Khamzat. Covington, whose stifling high-pressure wrestling has brought him to two title challenges against Kamaru Usman, might be another nightmare matchup for the Swede.
Khamzat, true to form, dismissed Colby and promised a knockout. “If that guy don’t call the cops and if Dana White don’t go to jail, I will be happy to come to the fight and smash his face. Of course [I knock him out].
I said everybody. I’ll fight everybody. They said [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 50 Gs, I knock somebody out and I am happy.”
If Khamzat Chimaev can get through Colby, particularly with a stunning finish, he’ll be in line for a run at Kamaru Usman, the #1 pound for pound fighter on the planet. Gilbert Burns is still trying to assemble enough wins to avenge himself on Usman, too, following a knockout loss to the champ in his last title challenge.
Will Chimaev learn from this fight and improve in time for the next one? Let us know in the comments.
