Burns Questions Chimaev's Heart Ahead Of RAF 13

Gilbert Burns acknowledged that Khamzat Chimaev will enter their RAF 13 rematch on Friday as the more accomplished wrestler, but the Brazilian believes stamina could level the playing field at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida.

Burns and Chimaev first met at UFC 273 in April 2022, when the Chechen won a split decision in what the promotion later named Fight of the Night. Four years later they meet again, this time on the Real American Freestyle wrestling mats.

Burns Targets Chimaev's Gas Tank

Chimaev is a three-time Swedish national freestyle wrestling champion with a junior medal from Russia. Burns, who turned 40 in July, has competed primarily in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. Despite that gap, Burns told MMA Junkie he plans to push a pace Chimaev cannot sustain. "For sure he's a better wrestler, you can say that," Burns said. "He's competed many more times than me. He's a bigger guy, but the heart and the cardio, I think I can be in front of him."

Burns pointed to Chimaev's past performances, including the Sean Strickland fight, as evidence of vulnerability when tired. He added that his goal is to frustrate Chimaev with positioning and make him gas out early.

Chimaev enters 2-0 in RAF competition after pinning Tyron Woodley in under two minutes at RAF Moscow earlier this month. Burns retired from MMA last year following five straight losses and resurfaced in June for UFC BJJ. The RAF 13 card also features a welterweight clash between Belal Muhammad and Colby Covington.

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• MMA Mania — Gilbert Burns admits Khamzat will be ‘better wrestler’ at RAF 13, but questions ‘heart and cardio’