Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns ran into each other on their way to the sauna ahead of their UFC 273 clash.
Surging prospect Chimaev and former title challenger Burns meet in a highly anticipated welterweight fight this Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida. It's a big step up in competition for Chimaev, who has received a huge amount of attention after just four UFC fights.
The welterweights are in the last stages of their weight cuts and whilst at the fighter hotel, they bumped into each other on their way to the sauna. After spotting Burns alongside Ian Garry down the hallway, Chimaev shook hands with the Brazilian as they sized each other up.
"“Ah, I've got you now," Chimaev said. "Come, we'll fight naked. You wanna fight me naked? You’re small, brother, you have to eat brother, banana, chocolate. Show me power, brother.” Burns then replied: “I will show you Saturday, I'm gonna show [you]. Let's go."
No.2 ranked welterweight Burns hasn't fought since outpointing Stephen Thompson last July, whilst Chimaev submitted Li Jingliang at UFC 267 last October. Burns is confident his fight with Chimaev won't reach the scorecards and he will finish the Chechen.
“It’s gonna be a finish," Burns told Mirror Fighting . "I think I might be able to catch him with a couple of punches or I’m getting a submission. I don’t exactly, but don’t see it going to a decision, I see a finish.”
“His strengths are clear, he’s a very big guy and strong for the division. I don’t see a lot of weakness, but when a guy’s that big and can fight at middleweight, he’s gonna have a very tough weight cut."
Who wins at UFC 273 - Gilbert Burns or Khamzat Chimaev? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
At 6'2" Chimaev is one of the biggest welterweights on the UFC roster. 'Borz' has switched between 170-pounds and 185-pounds for his four wins in the UFC and wants to become the promotion's first-ever three-weight champion.
The 27-year-old broke records for the fastest consecutive wins and three-fight winning streak in modern UFC history in 2020. His career was almost cut short after battling lingering symptoms of Covid-19, but he returned to the cage last October after a year lay off.
UFC flyweight Tatiana Suarez also recently had an encounter with Chimaev in a sauna, as she hilariously revealed the No.11 ranked welterweight tried to "wrestle" her whilst they were in one together.
