Israel Adesanya thinks Gilbert Burns can pull off the upset when he faces Khamzat Chimaev on the main card of UFC 273 on Saturday night.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Burns will throw down with the undefeated Russian in an intriguing clash of styles this weekend at Vystar Veterans Memorial Center in Jacksonville, Florida.
Chimaev, 27, comes into the contest with a wave of momentum behind him having kickstarted his MMA career with a record of ten victories and no losses.
Although he's essentially steamrolled every single one of his opponents thus far, Adesanya is confident Burns can spring a major upset and hand the wolf of Russia his first professional defeat.
He said on his YouTube channel: “I know Burns.
“He don’t play about it. He’s real. He’s really about this life.
"I’m glad that he’s up at welterweight now because he’s a lot better at this weight class.
"But Khamzat on a roll. His last opponent, ‘The Leech’ (Li Jingliang), was the most impressive opponent he’s beat so far.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Gilbert Burns poses during a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“Gilbert Burns is good, but he gets hit. Everyone gets hit, and he’s got power in his punches. You know what? I’ll be rooting for Burns. I think he can get it done.”
Burns, 35, is also confident of upsetting the apple cart, telling MMA Junkie: “I think his wrestling is very good.
“His control, his ground-and-pound is good. And the fact that he’s very long helps, too, so he gets good grips, good control, knows where to put the weight. Very technical, hits hard.
"But the opponents didn’t do too well. Those guys don’t know how to get up. The other ones don’t know how to wrestle.
"I don’t even know, I got to look at it to watch it, but his first two UFC opponents, do you know their name? Anyone? No one knows.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 13: In this handout image provided by UFC, (L-R) Gilbert Burns of Brazil punches Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
"For sure, they’re pretty tough to be in the UFC, but they’re not Gilbert Burns. They’re not in the top of the division. So, all due respect, sorry for you if you were one of these guys, no offense, but I’m in the top of the division, you know?
“I give this guy the opportunity. I want to fight him because I believe he’s very good, but I don’t see a monster, I see a human being.
"Confident, a little bit cocky, undefeated, thinks he’s the best, untouchable – but we shall see. We shall see Saturday."
Asked if he deserves another title shot if he wins, he replied: "We’ll see.
"Everything depends about the performance. If I go out there and get a finish, I believe I earned it. No sad stories.
"If I don’t, I’ll fight another guy. I’m not thinking too much ahead because the scenery is so big.
"Kamaru gonna fight Leon. I think he’s gonna win, but he might lose. Vicente is fighting Belal.
"I do believe Vicente’s gonna win, so it all depends. Maybe Kamaru, maybe that fight goes to September. Maybe if he lost, it’s got to be a trilogy, so I’m not thinking too much ahead.
"I have a big Russian problem in front of me. I’m never looking past this guy. I think he’s very tough, and I respect that.
“I do believe the way we both fight, I’m gonna get a finish.”
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