Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman: Who Comes Out On Top? – Gilbert Burns Gives His Verdict

Posted on by Matt James

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns spoke to TMZ after his grueling three-round war against Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Borz’ came out on top in the end, however, his victory came with its fair share of adversity. Burns did everything in his power to put away the Swedish-Russian fighter and gave a good account of himself inside the octagon.

However, with Chimaev’s win, he now moves on to the number four ranking and is poised to fight Kamaru Usman for the title next. In fact, several fans have already begun scoping out the opening lines for the fight to see who is favored. As it stands, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is believed to be the favorite if and when both men collide.

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Khamzat Chimaev or Kamaru Usman?- Who comes out on top

‘Durinho’ Burns was asked about whom he favored in the fight and Burns was quick to side with his former teammate and former opponent in Usman. Gilbert Burns knows what it’s like to be in the cage with both men and he believes Usman’s fight IQ will help him succeed.

While he recognized the fact that ‘Borz’ has been incrementally improving, it seems as though Kamaru Usman is believed to have a better overall game.

“That would be a tough fight. I still think Kamaru hits harder. Kamaru put me out. That guy hit me with everything, he didn’t put me out. The difference as of right now for sure after this war, that guy [Chimaev] going to get better.”

“The IQ of Kamaru Usman will be the difference. Kamaru is a very intelligent and tested fighter. He’s been in the wars, he’s been in against the best guys around. I think Kamaru MMA wrestling is better than Khamzat. Kamaru with the fence, being very long, using the distance. I think he would be able to take Khamzat down.”

Usman is the number one ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world and it’s no surprise that he is favored. He’s been comprehensively dispatching his opponents and it’s highly likely that he will tango with the undefeated Swedish-Russian wolf in short order.