Gilbert Burns doesn’t see Paulo Costa giving Khamzat Chimaev way more of a problem than he himself did final yr.
On October 21, Costa and Chimaev will make their respective returns to the Octagon after greater than a yr on the shelf. Emanating from Etihiad Area in Abu Dhabi, UFC 294 will function a stacked night time of fights, however few are extra intriguing than the middleweight matchup pitting an undefeated Chechen monster in opposition to the one-time title challenger.
Chimaev goes into the competition on the cusp of his first title alternative, but when Costa manages to attain what many would take into account to be an upset, he might stroll straight into his second crack at UFC gold.
Gilbert Burns doesn’t see that taking place.
Stepping contained in the Octagon with Chimaev at UFC 273, Burns gave ‘Borz’ the hardest check of his profession to date, however it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient because the Chechen got here out on high by way of a unanimous determination. Talking with Mike Owens in a MiddleEasy unique interview, ‘Durinho’ steered that Costa doesn’t have the guts wanted to outlive the form of onslaught that Chimaev brings to his opponents.
“He’s an enormous man, however I don’t assume he has the guts that I’ve,” Burns mentioned. “I don’t assume he has the jiu-jitsu that I’ve. He doesn’t have the get-ups that I’ve. He doesn’t have the submission menace that I’ve that makes Khamzat not need to grapple.
“He’s a really robust and massive man, but when I needed to guess – and I don’t like each of those guys, a double knockout could be one of the best outcome – however it’s a 50-50 battle,” Burns added. “If Khamzat is ready to take him down, it’ll be a tough night time for Costa. If Costa is ready to defend the takedown, it’ll be a tough night time for Khamzat.”
Whereas we wouldn’t put any cash on a double knockout end, it has occurred earlier than. Throughout the Final Fighter 5 finale in 2007, Grey Maynard and Robert Emerson have been each unable to proceed their contest following an tried takedown from Maynard. Lifting up Emerson throughout a double leg, Maynard slammed his opponent again right down to the canvas, immediately breaking Emerson’s ribs and inflicting him to faucet out instantly. Nonetheless, Maynard knocked himself out within the course of by hitting his head on the canvas. The bout was dominated a no contest as each males have been unable to proceed.
So, by no means say by no means.
