MMA Preview – Gilbert Burns vs Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
GILBERT BURNS VS KHAMZAT CHIMAEV FACTS
When is UFC 273? Sunday 10th April, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 273? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 273? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 273
What channel is UFC 273 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 273? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
GILBERT BURNS VS KHAMZAT CHIMAEV LOWDOWN
Gilbert Burns (20-4) appears for the first time this year accepting the fight nobody wants. He showed a lot of character in his last fight bouncing back from his title fight loss to Kamaru Usman in February last year. The champ snapped the impressive six-fight win streak with a TKO which hurt Burns more mentally, but he responded with a classy unanimous decision win over arguably the best striker in the division - Stephen Thompson.
The bogeyman of the division, Khamzat Chimaev (10-0) makes his eagerly anticipated return after racking up his fourth ‘performance of the night’ bonus in a row back in October. He has swatted everyone away like they do not belong in an octagon. John Phillips was his first victim at middleweight with a submission, he then knocked out Rhys McKee 10 days later at welterweight and then went back up to 185 lbs to erase Gerald Meerschaert. He returned over a year later after suffering with Covid and he looked even scarier, toying with and submitting Li Jingliang in the first round.
GILBERT BURNS VS KHAMZAT CHIMAEV PREDICTION
Chimaev is the hottest prospect we have seen since Conor McGregor and has won more UFC fights than he has been hit. However, there is only so much weight you can put on a fighter who has never been tested, never been rocked and never been dragged into dark waters. However, we see all the attributes of a future champion. His skill set is terrifying with underrated striking to compliment his elite grappling and he is simply an animal with beastly cardio.
The question is whether he is ready to take on someone of the calibre of Burns in just his fifth UFC fight. The Brazilian is one of the best best jiu-jitsu practitioners on the roster with strong wrestling and he also has knockout power in his hands.
However, the only advantage he holds here is his jiu-jitsu and experience. Burns is a former lightweight and Chimaev’s size, power and wrestling should be enough to subdue his submission skills on the floor and as we saw in the Jingliang fight, experience did not count for anything, and he threw him around like a sack of potatoes.
There is also little reason to believe Chimaev will not come out even more tenacious and explosive hunting an early finish. He will boast a four-inch reach advantage and he is likely to show that off with his improved boxing to set up a takedown.
Burns may be too good to get submitted and we can see him putting up a good fight for a couple rounds, but Chimaev’s power should nullify all of Burns’ weapons and may even set up a knockout.
Prediction: Chimaev via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Burns to win
