Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns - The Explosive Rematch

The first weight-carrying name to welcome Khamzat Chimaev to the UFC Octagon will now get the same grace from “Borz.” Gilbert Burns and Chimaev will run back their UFC 273 instant classic with a potential to wrestle for RAF gold.

It’s a matchup that runs back the most exciting fights of both of their careers as well as a match that likely sees the winner position themself for an RAF Crossover title match. Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns gave us Fight of the Year in 2022 with no title on the line, imagine what they’re going to do at RAF13.

Chimaev has been one of the most feared men in combat sports since his UFC debut on Fight Island. He’s one of the strongest men in all of combat sports, one of the most blood-thirsty and one of the most skilled.

He carries a wrestle-heavy style that is aided by strength that almost feels to be run by hydraulic power. When Chimaev gets a hold of people the only course of action is to make yourself heavy and look at the clock.

While Chimaev’s record did suffer its first blemish at UFC 328, he’s one of the most dominant, feared men to ever compete in combat sports and dares any challenger to meet him on the mat.

Burns may be a surprise opponent due in large part to not having a notable wrestling-specific style but “Durinho” has one of the most comprehensive combat sports skillsets and can conform at the highest levels in almost any discipline. His grappling background has given wrestlers fits for years, and he has competed and won at the highest levels of multiple combat sports. It’s time to see how he stacks up against the toughest names in freestyle wrestling.

Burns pushed Sean Brady to the brink in five rounds, beat Neil Magny on the ground and decisively defeated Tyron Woodley in a Performance of the Night effort in 2020. He has no fear of wrestlers and will even engage on the ground. He may not be undefeated against wrestlers but he’s far from a fish out of water.

In Chimaev’s ascent in combat sports, he had a tougher time finding opponents than beating them especially when looking to find a ranked name to give him his due matchup. In walked Burns and the two gave us an instant classic that skyrocketed the stock of both men.

It was a collision between Chimaev’s overwhelming strength and wrestling and Burns’ ability to not only survive but to hurt Chimaev in ways nobody had in scrambles. Something that could resurface on the RAF mat.

For Chimaev the keys to victory are simple. Make it a wrestling match, not a grappling match. He needs to get to the legs early and close distance quickly. Turning neutral positions into takedowns in the blink of an eye is one of his strongest advantages and he should look to attack legs early and often instead of wasting time hand-fighting without a purpose.

Chimaev also should look to use his strength advantage to make chain attacks suffocating and unstoppable. “Borz” is a guy who doesn’t need much of a grip on opponents to constrict the life out of them. Should a first-attempt not prove fruitful, a second or third surely will.

For Burns he will need to win the “first-contact” battle like he did in their Fight of the Year clash. Chimaev is most dangerous when he gets a clean shot and connection. He finds an opening and nearly drives through opponents. Burns needs to win fights to inside position, control wrists and keep Chimaev from getting his hands positioned and locked.

He will also need to make Chimaev shoot awkwardly and from far away. Wrestlers tend to get lulled into a position of standing and waiting when up against “Borz.” instead of standing still or backing straight up, Burns needs to circle away when he’s not hand-fighting to force his ultra-aggressive opponent to over-extend.

It has all the makings of being Match of the Night and will surely make both men on the front of every RAF fans’ mind when the dust has settled. For those unfamiliar with either man, you do not want to miss this matchup.

Catch Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns LIVE from RAF13, Saturday, September 18 ONLY on FOX Nation!