UFC welterweight Matt Brown was thoroughly impressed to see upstart Swede Khamzat Chimaev earn a gruelling decision victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. What he didn’t see, however, was enough to convince him that Khamzat is ready to take out the 170 pound champ, Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman. Brown explained on The Fighter vs the Writer.
“I was really impressed to be honest. Gilbert Burns ain’t no joke. Just about anybody’s going to lose a round to Gilbert Burns. That dude is legit as they get so I was pretty impressed with Khamzat. I thought he did a great job. I thought he showed great composure, even when they were throwing down hard. I was impressed with Burns, too.
Matt Brown: Khamzat is Legit, but No Threat to Usman
All around, I just thought it was a great fight and a perfect step up for Khamzat. You’ve got to think, too, this is his fifth UFC fight and he’s already fighting Gilbert Burns? That’s no joke. That’s legit right there. You cannot take anything away from Khamzat for that fight.”
Chimaev, who boasted a 100% finish rate before fighting Burns, walked through all opposition until UFC 273. Khamzat ate some hard shots, particularly in the second round. All that should only make him more dangerous, but it’s a long way from the lofty heights of Kamaru Usman’s fight game.
“You know what, to be honest, I didn’t see anything in that fight that showed me he’s going to beat Usman. That was the only negative that I would have took out of that fight. Of course, MMA math never works but the way he beat Gilbert didn’t make me think he’s going to beat Usman.
Colby [Covington] is probably going to be his next fight, who knows, but from everything we’re kind of seeing right now. I think that’s another perfect step up test for him.
If you call it a step up. I don’t know who would win between Gilbert and Colby but a five round fight with someone like Colby is going to show a lot.”
If Khamzat Chimaev could put Colby Covington away, it would almost guarantee his shot at welterweight gold. “If he goes out there and beats Colby, beats him good, Usman-Chimaev is going to be a huge fight then.
Colby’s the perfect guy not only testing Khamzat again, a huge five-round fight, but also if he beats him, the hype just gets even bigger and a Usman-Khamzat fight is gigantic at that point.”
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jguc40strRw
