This was a special fight for just so many reasons. It was probably going to be, at the very least, very interesting no matter the result, but the way this fight went down, makes everything leading up to and surrounding this matchup, pretty legendary.
This evening a welterweight bout between Gilbert Burns and MASSIVE hype train Khamzat Chimaev took place in Jacksonville, Florida and the fight itself was just a straight up action movie. Back and forth relentlessness. Grappling, violent strikes both standing up and on the floor. Blood and bruises swapped with consistency. There's no doubt, this fight was pretty one of a kind.
Instant classic. Khamzat in black shorts, Gilbert in yellow.
This fight was really, different. The UFC continues to blow my mind with insane action. The sport is evolving.
This spectacular fight was made more intense because of the circumstances. This wasn't a championship fight. But it had the intensity of one. But it also had a different vibe, which is why I say in the title of this post that it was historical.
To start off, this fight was made historical because high level, highly ranked, extremely dangerous Gilbert Burns took this fight, when many people were scared of Chimaev. I was a fan of Gilbert before, but after this fight I am a huge fan. Him losing this fight is extremely irrelevant.
This fight has layers and I don't know where to even begin, I'm just going to keep trucking through.
Khamzat, was a hype train, but honestly deservedly so. The past two years Khamzat has broken records just tearing through UFC competition in two different divisions that are separated by not ten, but fifteen pounds. All the while barely taking any damage whatsoever.
The only reason Khamzat was a hype train was because his progression in the UFC happened absurdly fast, the dude came outta nowhere just catching bodies. It was all mysterious.
I say Khamzat was a hype train because it is confirmed that the hype is indeed, real. The dude is legit. Khamzat just defeated Gilbert Burns in an absolute all-time slugfest. Gilbert Burns is a legend of the sport of MMA in my opinion and still in his prime. Gilbert is a serious contender.
This was the biggest win of Khmazat's career not only because of who he beat in Gilbert Burns, but MMA fans now know Khamzat is a tough dude and can endure a war.
I honestly think I could see it in Khamzat's face that this fight changed him. Khamzat is going to be a better fighter than he already is going forward.
It's insane how rapidly Khamzat's English has improved. It was nowhere near this good just a few months or so ago. Impressive.
People were pretty sure Khamzat was legit, but there's zero doubt now because he beat Gilbert Burns. This fight is SO big because Gilbert is SO good.
This fight is spooky for that reason. Khamzat has SERIOUS hype. He's been called the greatest MMA prospect people have ever seen. Now that he's beaten Burns it really starts to seem like Khamzat could be a big star, a scary champ someday. It's exciting stuff. Just as depressing it is to see a hype train fail, it's insanely cool to see a hype train succeed.
This fight was the young hype train versus the seasoned elite vet who's entering the last stage of his prime, and man it was glorious.
As much as this was a big step for Chimaev, this fight simultaneously and instantaneously improved Gilbert Burns's legacy on a deep deep level.
After this fight nobody thinks lesser of Gilbert, because Khamzat beat Gilbert!
I promise this totally makes sense... LOL
This fight confirmed a relative unknown -Khamzat- and re-confirmed what we MMA fans already knew, that Gilbert is championship caliber.
ESPICIALLY if Khamzat goes on to do great things in MMA. I think, no matter what Khamzat is a legend in MMA. What he has done really can't be forgotten.
ALSO though, if Khamzat goes on to be an insanely elite MMA fighter winning championships etc, this fight will age INSANELY well for Gilbert Burns!
This could easily be the initial battle we look back on in Khamzat's career that took him to the next level...
This fight could be an awesome chapter in MMA history. I believe this battle will age well for Gilbert's legacy.
Every strike thrown between these two felt like I was watching some epic movie scene. So much power in each shot. I was on edge the entire time.
Just amazing!
Legend! Nothing to be ashamed of.
I am a new BIG fan!!! Already a legend in his own way.
I can't wait to see what happens next for both Burns and Chimaev. Just amazing.
Bravo, Khamzat and Gilbert.