Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski put on a dominant performance in the UFC 273 main event. He landed shots heavy and often against the Korean Zombie. The ref ended up protecting the Zombie from himself in the fourth round, as the South Korean proved too tough for his own good. Volkanovski has been on a tear racking up 21 straight wins now.

What comes next? We’d like to see Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski 3. This is the fight that was originally scheduled prior to Max needing to pull out of the bout.

Volkanovski’s next fight: Max Holloway

Aljamain Sterling

Khamzat Chimaev

After dominating his first four fights in the UFC while facing very little adversity, Khamzat was finally challenged Saturday night. In a tough back-and-forth battle, Khamzat finally went to the judges for a decision for the first time in his professional career, in which he got the unanimous nod. We got to see his chin tested as well, in what was a Fight of the Night and one for the ages.

We’ve heard Dana say he wants Chimaev vs. Colby Covington next on ABC, however, there’s a chance Khamzat will end up fighting for a belt next. Our prediction is Khamzat gets the winner of Usman and Edwards.

Chimaev’s next fight: Usman/Edwards Winner.

Mackenzie Dern

This was a tough back and forth fight. Torres showed why she’s never been finished fighting off a lot of slick submission attempts. In the end, Dern got the nod from the judges.

Zhang and Jedzejczyk are set to go down in June. Mackenzie fighting the winner of this bout makes all the sense in the world for her and potentially has the feel to be a title elimination fight.

Derns’s next fight: Zhang/Jedrzejczyk Winner

Mark O. Madsen

In a very competitive fight, Mark O. Madsen was able to use his elite wrestling to edge the decision over Vinc Pichel Saturday night. The undefeated Olympian is now 12-0 with four wins inside the UFC octagon. We’d like to see Mark fight a tough veteran who has been ranked in the top 15 previously. Drew Dober would fit this bill nicely.

Madsen’s next fight: Drew Dober

The post What’s Next: UFC 273 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

Here are our thoughts as to what’s on tap for the night’s losers.

The Korean Zombie

The main event of the evening at UFC 273 saw The Korean Zombie step in against the champion Alexander Volkanovski after former champ Max Holloway went down with an injury. It didn’t take Alexander “The Great” long to make The Zombie start to resemble a zombie. He was landing hard and quick jabs right from the start. After the third round, referee Herb Dean asked the doctors to check on Zombie; they allowed him to continue. It didn’t last much longer, as Volkanovski would earn the stoppage 45 seconds into round four, leading us to ask “what’s next?” for TKZ.

In his post fight interview Zombie seemed very emotional, discussing how he’d need to think about hanging up the gloves and spending time with his children. Missing a good chunk of his prime fighting years due to military obligations to his native country, I can’t see him retiring just yet. He’s got some gas left in the tank and there are some youngsters looking for a fight. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zombies next fight being a nasty one. One with a fellow twister finisher, “Thug Nasty” himself.

Zombie’s next fight: Bryce Mitchell

Petr Yan

In a much anticipated rematch of their title fight at UFC 259 that resulted in a DQ finish and a new champion, Interim Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan took on UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling in Jacksonvile. The first round wasn’t full of action and could have been very hard to judge in the favor of either fighter. Rounds two and three very easily went to Sterling and rounds four and five were easily scored for Yan. After going to the judges’ scorecards, we heard “and still,” as Yan fell via split decision to the “Funkmaster.”

Yan could be matched up with a plethora of opponents at the top of the division and any of those fights would make sense for a variety of reasons. There are rematches for top guys looking to avenge losses against the former champion. There are new talents tearing through the division looking to make a name for themselves off the former champion. Let’s not forget there is also a legend that has returned from multiple injuries that has his eyes on getting his title back. He could also get a rematch against Sterling but I think there is another former champ that gets that call first. As for Yan, a very marketable fight is out there against Sterling’s own teammate, Merab Dvalishvili. This one sells itself.

Yan’s next fight: Merab Dvalishvili

Gilbert Burns

At UFC 273, “Durinho” did what we’ve heard a lot of men had absolutely no interest in doing, he got locked inside the Octagon across from Khamzat Chimaev. In doing so he did what no other man has been able to do: he made Chimaev look mortal. Burns rocked Chimaev. He hurt Chimaev. He cut Chimaev. After the seventh minute of the fight, he had officially taken Chimaev into the deepest waters of a fight he’d been to in his career. It wouldn’t be enough, as Burns would drop a unanimous decision to the man many say will be the next champion at 185 pounds. It was written on the faces of both men after the fight. This one was an instant classic, a contender for Fight of the Year in 2022, and could end up in the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

Burns, like many others, has been on the losing side of things before. He’s been in there with the current champion and former championship contenders. He came into this one ranked #2 in the division and I’d have a hard time seeing him dropped any further than #4. The three guys ranked immediately below him have fights lined up and it seems Chimaev has called next for the winner of Usman vs. Edwards 2. If that actually happens (and it may or may not) only one man really makes sense as the next person for Burns to fight, maybe even in Brazil or…..Miami? Covington. Of course, Dana White also suggested “Chaos” for Chimaev next, so it all comes down to whether he gets the winner of Usman-Edwards 2. If he doesn’t, maybe the Luque vs. Muhammad winner works.

Burns’ next fight: Colby Covington (dependent on title picture)

Tecia Torres

Torres has been locked inside the cage with a who’s who of the top women in the game. Saturday night was no different as she faced off against arguably the best female grappler in the UFC, Mackenzie Dern. This fight between Dern and “The Tiny Tornado” was definitely a whirlwind of back and forth stand-up and grappling. After we went to the judges, it was a split decision win for Dern.

Torres, a top 10 strawweight, has been on this side of a decision in the past. She had a four fight losing streak all decided on the scorecards, before her most recent three fight winning streak. The list of names Torres has fought in her career is endless, however there is some new blood in her division, so we’ll line her up with one of them. A former Invicta champ in this case.

Torres’ next fight: Virna Jandiroba

Vinc Pichel

“From Hell” Vinc Pichel most definitely didn’t go down without a fight against Olympic silver medalist Mark O. Madsen. This one was a very back-and-forth three round scrap, where Pichel could be overheard telling his corner “he’s done… he’s done” in regards to Madsen after the second round. He wasn’t. It turned out to be the wrestling of “The Olympian” Madsen that would seal the deal in the third round.

Pichel has been in and out of the Octagon on a regular basis during his career due to injury. Seemingly coming out of this one injury free, he’s probably be hell bent on getting a quick turn around. While his wrestling did look good (he was the first person to ever secure a takedown against Madsen in his MMA career), Pichel seems much better matched up against someone who will stand with him.

Pichel’s next fight: Jai Herbert

The post What’s Next: UFC 273 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the main event of UFC 273, Zombie (born Chan Sung Jung, but who prefers to go by his undead-inspired nickname) wound up finished in the fourth round by reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski.

On the one hand, Australia’s Volkanovski is quickly entering the conversation as one of the all-time featherweight greats. And to be fair, Zombie was never even supposed to be in the fight, taking it on relatively short notice after Max Holloway was forced out of a March date against the champ.

On the other hand, Zombie was defeated, violently, and at 35, his days of chasing the title may very well be over. The South Korean star acknowledged as much in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, although his translator failed to relay the message.

A number of Korean speaking fight fans, including Jay Caspian Kang of the New York Times, picked up on it, however. “I now know I can’t be UFC champion,” Kang reported Zombie as saying.

https://twitter.com/jaycaspiankang/status/1513028968827346949

Other users added that the defeated featherweight said he needed to think about what he’s fighting for moving forward.

That brings The Korean Zombie’s very career into question — though if he chooses to continue on, there’s no doubt still some compelling, fun fights to be had for the two-time title challenger.

Since returning from mandatory military service in his native South Korea in 2017, Zombie has posted a 4-3 record inside the octagon. That includes wins over former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar, as well as Dan Ige, and losses to Brian Ortega and now Volkanovski.

Zombie began his pro career in 2007, and joined the WEC in 2010. When that promotion was gobbled up by the UFC a short time later, The Korean Zombie made an immediate impact in his promotional debut, hitting a rarely-seen twister submission on an old rival, Leonard Garcia. It was the first victory of a three-fight win streak that took The Korean Zombie all the way to a title shot.

The post “I Now Know I Can’t Be UFC Champion” — Korean Zombie Hinting At Retirement Following UFC 273? appeared first on Cageside Press.

The Waterdown, Ontario-born fighter made the trip south to Jacksonville, Florida to make his promotional debut, after winning his way into the company on last year’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series.

Needless to say, it was a successful coming out party for welterweight Malott (8-1-1), who face-planted Mickey Gall with a left hook.

“I was just some kid in Waterdown, Ontario, Canada with a stubborn dream of fighting in this cage with no proof that I was going to do it,” Malott exclaimed during his post-fight interview. He then made an incredibly generous offer: despite earning just $10,000 to show and another $10,000 to win on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts, he was going to contribute all of his show money to Team Alpha Male coach Joey Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez’s daughter Angie is currently battling stage 3 lymphoma.

Following Saturday’s event, UFC President Dana White promised to pick up the tab for the donation. And even increased it.

“He looked good. The kid looked good. He’s fun, he’s fun to watch,” White replied when asked about Malott during the UFC 273 post-fight press conference. “He can keep his ten grand, and I’ll do his show and his win, and I’ll donate it to his coach.”

It’s the second time in recent memory that the UFC has opted to foot the bill for a fighter’s charitable donation. Back in March, White pledged to do the same when Bryce Mitchell vowed to donate half his fight purse to a children’s charity in Arkansas.

In the meantime, Malott’s next fight could very well come at home. Despite White ruling out a potential trip to Australia this year, Toronto is among the cities he listed as possible hosts for upcoming UFC events.

“The place is still locked down. I can’t risk trying to bring a show over there, get there, and have it shut down,” White said when asked specifically about Australia. “I think that just happened to Formula 1, didn’t it?”

It did not. While the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled two years running, this year’s race at Albert Park in Melbourne went ahead, with 420,000 spectators attending the event.

Still, while White has seemingly ruled out a trip down under in 2022, he did state that the promotion was “pretty much back on the road again” when it came to taking the octagon outside the usual haunts of Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. “We’re talking about possibly Boston, back to New York again, we’re looking at Salt Lake City, Utah. Seattle we were looking at. Toronto.”

So far in 2022, the UFC has visited Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, and made the trip to London, England for a wildly successful show at the O2 Arena last month.

The post Dana White: UFC to Cover “Proper” Mike Malott’s Cancer Donation, Toronto Show In the Pipeline appeared first on Cageside Press.

Voted on by fans via Crypto.com, the post-fight bonuses, which will feature at each UFC Pay-Per-View event, see $30 thousand, $20 thousand, and $10 thousand dollar bonuses paid out in their bitcoin equivalent. And with the votes tallied, the first three recipients are in — with one coming as a bit of a surprise.

Per the voting page on Crypto.com, Khamzat Chimaev, Alexander Volkanovski, and Petr Yan took home the awards.

In the case of Chimaev, who went the distance in an instant classic with Gilbert Burns, the bonus comes as no surprise. Despite two title fights adorning the UFC 273 card, Khamzat was the most talked-about fighter of the week, and the Burns fight was seen as the biggest test of his career. It goes without saying that he passed, capturing a unanimous decision in an action-packed war that saw both fighters rocked on more than one occasion.

With Chimaev claiming the first-place fan bonus, it was featherweight champ Volkanovski sliding into second. His main event scrap with the popular Korean Zombie ended via fourth round TKO, securing the Australian his third consecutive title defense.

It also secured him $20,000 in bonus money, paid out in bitcoin.

Petr Yan, meanwhile, took home the third place Fan Bonus of the Night. The Russian’s name came as something of a surprise, given Aljamain Sterling won their bantamweight title unification bout, albeit by split decision.

With their career series tied at 1-1 in some fan’s minds (while officially being 2-0 for Aljo), there’s a chance Sterling and Yan finish out the potential trilogy. In the meantime, $10,000 in crypto will hopefully take the sting off for former champ Yan.

The post UFC 273: Inaugural Fan Bonuses Awarded to Chimaev, Volkanovski and Yan appeared first on Cageside Press.

None lived up to expectations that way Chimaev vs. Burns did, either. Considered the first true test of Chimaev at a high level, “Borz” came through, though not without some adversity. There was no “smeshing” at UFC 273 for a fighter used to quick finishes. Instead, it was a three-round war of attrition, back-and-forth with both fighters taking serious damage.

For their efforts, Chimaev and Burns picked up Fight of the Night at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida. UFC President Dana White announced the news in comical fashion during the event’s post-fight press conference at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. “If I need to tell you what Fight of the Night is, you shouldn’t be here,” White quipped.

Performance of the Night bonuses at UFC 273 went to featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski, and 44-year old heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik. Volkanovski put his title on the line against The Korean Zombie, putting on a dominant performance that ended in a fourth round TKO.

Oleinik, seemingly ageless, was himself in danger of being submitted by opponent Jared Vanderaa. But the veteran grappler reversed position, and put Vanderaa away with a scarf-hold choke to secure his 60th win as a pro.

All four fighters will pocket an extra $50,000 for their efforts.

The post UFC 273: Volkanovski, Oleinik Earn Performance Bonuses, FOTN Goes to Chimaev-Burns appeared first on Cageside Press.

Originally set to face Holloway in what would be the trilogy fight, although Volkanovski leads 2-0 at the moment, the champion instead took on Chang Sung Jung “The Korean Zombie”.

With Holloway suffering an injury Zombie was available and stepped up to take the title shot.

Would Volkanovski solidify his position as one of the all-time great UFC featherweights? Or will Zombie take this opportunity to cement his legacy as a legendary fighter? We found out at UFC 273 on Saturday night in Florida.

The first round and it was apparent that Volkanovski would enjoy the speed and quickness advantage. Zombie seemed unprepared to deal with the speed of the boxing Volkanovski brought to the fight. At the same time he ate a lot of leg kicks and that opened up the hands for Volkanovski.

Second round was more of the same with Volkanovski mixing in takedowns and dominating positions. Zombie showed courage fighting to get back to his feet, but with Volkanovski so sharp and quick it really makes one wonder how long this one will go.

Third round was almost exactly the same. Zombie showing toughness lasting this long, but at the end of the round he was dropped by Volkanovski and the champion swarmed him. However that was at the end of the round and Herb Dean did not stop the fight.

Dean called the doctor in to check on Zombie. He asked him if he wanted to fight and Zombie said he did. Onto the fourth we went.

The fourth round did not last long with Dean keep an eye on Zombie. Volkanovski went back to his game landing heavy shots on Zombie and it took a heavy right hand rocking Zombie for Herb Dean to call the fight.

For Volkanovski this is another step towards silencing those who believe he isn’t a great champion. The Holloway bouts, and defeating Ortega should have been enough but defeating a legend is a feather in the cap.

Official Result: Alexander Volkanovski def. The Korean Zombie via R4 :45 TKO

The post UFC 273 Results: Alexander Volkanovski Dominates Zombie To TKO Victory appeared first on Cageside Press.

This all began with an illegal knee landed by Yan to a downed Sterling at UFC 259. Whether or not Sterling had the ability to continue fighting became the topic of discussion all over social media.

Should Sterling have fought through and finished the bout? Was he wrong for accepting the title? How did Yan, as a champion, not know the rules? All of that became irrelevant when the rematch was booked for Florida.

As Bruce Buffer introduced the champions Yan would not or could not break his gaze as he stared right into Sterling’s eyes. It was a focus very characteristic for him, but also very much telling a story of focus.

Sterling met the gaze and kept it as well as he bounced around until he greeted the crowd who largely booed him as Buffer said his name.

The first round kicked off with a very patient Sterling which was not at all how the first fight began. Yan was predictably patient while waiting for his chance to attack. Aljo employed a kick heavy attack in order to deal with the pressure from Yan.

Second round brought more of the same until Aljo was able to get Yan down and take the back taking most of the round on Yan’s back. Yan clearly had not worked on getting someone off his back that had employed the body lock that Sterling used.

Third round was eerily similar to the second with Yan getting taken down and wearing Sterling like a backpack for most of the round.

Rounds 4 and 5 were all Yan as he was able to defend the takedowns and in fact work on the back of Sterling a bit himself. When the fight ended the two gave each other respect as the fight went to the judges.

In the end Sterling defeated Yan via split decision. Whether or not fans believe that Sterling is the legitimate bantamweight champion is irrelevant as the result came with no controversy outside of Yan supporters, and Yan himself, who claimed robbery.

With the mic in hand and a few choice words the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion took the time to call out former champion TJ Dillashaw for his next bout.

Official Result: Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan via Split Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

The post UFC 273 Results: Aljamain Sterling Takes Split Decision Over Yan appeared first on Cageside Press.

Somehow, the welterweight duo even managed to surpass them.

Through a full three rounds, in a back-and-forth war immediately in the conversation for Fight of the Year, Chimaev and Burns battled it out. It’s worth underscoring that in just his fifth UFC fight, All-Stars Training Center fighter Chimaev was fighting the #2 ranked welterweight in the promotion. What’s more impressive, he immediately looked like he belonged.

That said, it was no cakewalk. There was no “smeshing” on Saturday at UFC 273. Burns proved game, and hurt Chimaev more than once. Right hands snapped his head back. Burns managed to hurt and bloody him more than once. But through 15 minutes we learned a lot about Khamzat Chimaev, including the fact that he has one impressively granite-like chin.

Arguably, the first round belonged to Chimaev, the second to Burns. In the third, the fight was up for grabs. Chimaev dictated where the bout was fought — he did that through most of the fight, stuffing takedown attempts with seeming ease — and began lighting up the former title challenger. It looked like Burns was on his way out, but he battled back, tagging Chimaev several times.

It wasn’t enough. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Khamzat Chimaev at the end of 15 minutes, though having said that, there were really no losers in the fight. Both men’s stock will rise, and both should be booked into big fights next.

The Pro Take

Khamzat’s fellow fighters certainly came out in droves to watch the fight, and there were plenty of Gilbert Burns supporters among them. Check out how the pros saw this barn-burner below!

Burns/Chimaev delivered big time! What a performance by both men. 👏

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 10, 2022

Sickest welterweight fight I’ve ever seen @GilbertDurinho @KChimaev @ufc Holly shit that was insane thank u guys!!!

— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) April 10, 2022

https://twitter.com/TeamRocBiggie/status/1513003184658255873

Amazing fight! Khamzat 2-1. But Burns looked GOOD. #UFC273

— Julia Avila (@RagingPandaMMA) April 10, 2022

All I can say is Thank you boys!!!! WOW #UFC273

— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) April 10, 2022

Man! I picked burns and that’s super close! I don’t care that was fucking awesome!

— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) April 10, 2022

What a freaking fight! Man, @KChimaev is the real deal. #UFC273

— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 10, 2022

2 MORE ROUNDS!

— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) April 10, 2022

https://twitter.com/OdeOsbourne/status/1513002098140467201

Two dawgs just scrapping !!!

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) April 10, 2022

Doesn’t get much better then this. What a fight. Pure warrior spirit on display @KChimaev @GilbertDurinho #UFC273

— John Wayne Makdessi (@JohnMakdessi) April 10, 2022

Amazing fight give me a draw

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 10, 2022

Holy moly that fight was great! #UFC273

— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) April 10, 2022

WHAT A WAR!!!!!!#UFC273

— Jake Collier (@Jakecollier88) April 10, 2022

Best shit I have seen in a long time @KChimaev @GilbertDurinho #ufc273 pic.twitter.com/sCp9fDWTaT

— Pannie Kianzad UFC (@PannieKianzad) April 10, 2022

Amazing fight!

— michael (@bisping) April 10, 2022

What. A. FIGHT!!!!🔥

— Mason Jones (@MasonJones1995) April 10, 2022

WOW!!!! WHAT A FIGHT!!!!! I think khamzat took it in the third but what a fight! #UFC273

— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) April 10, 2022

Respect! Great Fight!!

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 10, 2022

Good fight! Definitely fight of the night! #UFC273

— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) April 10, 2022

That was awesome 👏🏻#UFC273

— Mallory Martin (@MalloryyMartin) April 10, 2022

What’s a fight boys . Take a bow fellaz ! 💯 #UFC273

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 10, 2022

Team Durinho

Gilbert burns is the winner idc what anybody says he won #UFC273

— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) April 10, 2022

Wow these judges really just screwed my man!!! Burns won that bro!!!

— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) April 10, 2022

What a fight congrats @GilbertDurinho

— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) April 10, 2022

Burns is so humble #UFC273

— Kay Hansen (@KayHansenMMA) April 10, 2022

Gilbert won that fight f*ck what you heard

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 10, 2022

WHAT A FIGHT! @GilbertDurinho #UFC273

— Logan Storley (@storleystorm) April 10, 2022

Chimaev ain't no Khabib or Islam….or Cain. AKA smash different💯#UFC273

— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) April 10, 2022

The post The Pro Take: Twitter Reacts to Chimaev-Burns Classic at UFC 273 appeared first on Cageside Press.

But there was something else. Something intangible. It was clear from the time Chimaev pretty much full-on sprinted to the cage Saturday, that something special was about to unfold. By the time Gilbert Burns hit the cage, there was indeed electricity in the air. And what would ensue was a three-round nail-biter.

Chimaev opened with a couple of front kicks, fired a punch, changed levels, and hunted the takedown. Burns was able to fight that off, and ate a few knees, at least one of which looked low. Chimaev stayed on the attempt, with Burns against the fence, and eventually completed it. But Burns was soon back up, albeit with Chimaev still on him. Burns rolled, “Borz” rolled with him, body lock in place. When Chimaev got some space, he wound up on his feet, with Burns resting on his back. Chimaev let his opponent back up, and they reset.

Burns would then throw a right, but it was Chimaev doing more damage with his hands, and a body kick. Another right hand pushed Chimaev back however. Burns was able to sneak in a left, but Chimaev answered with a combination. A right hand by Burns was blocked. On the next exchange, it was a Burns right hand getting through, another one a moment later put Chimaev off-balance. Then, in the last minute, Chimaev dropped Burns with a jab on the chin! Chimaev went after the finish, smashing away with hammer fists and elbows, but Burns survived, and even answered back from bottom. They’d end the round on the feet, and Burns was still in it.

As advertised, Burns looked to be the biggest test of Chimaev’s career to date. But through the first five minutes, Chimaev had proven worthy.

Burns came out hot in round two, bouncing then shooting for a takedown. Chimaev fired his right hand, pressed forward, and switched stances. But a right hand clipped Chimaev. Chimaev fired one back. A body kick landed for Burns. If you weren’t on the edge of your seat through this one, you were probably dead inside, or dead period. Chimaev closed the distance, firing a combo; moments later, Burns dropped for a takedown only to have it stuffed. Chimaev was then clipped, and Burns went in for the kill! Burns landed several more times, but Chimaev survived, and fired back. Burns was bloodied. Chimaev was bloodied. Chimaev fired a leg kick as things settled back down.

Chimaev then stuffed a takedown, nearly reversed it, ate hammer fists from the bottom, and was kicked back with an upkick to the chest. Back on the feet, Chimaev was taking some big swings. Burns was relying on accuracy and head movement. At the end of two, Burns dropped Chimaev! But Chimaev turned it into a takedown, and the pair had to be separated after the buzzer.

It was anyone’s fight after two rounds. Even ten minutes in, it felt like a finish was seconds away. Chimaev backed Burns up to the fence, once, and the Brazilian escaped. He did it again, Burns tried to shoot for a takedown, only to have it stuffed. A second attempt saw Chimaev scramble out. Then, Chimaev began lighting up Burns. His shots were measured, accurate, and Burns looked tired. He was bloodied again. Burns would survive, but was backed up again. Burns ate a jab, and whiffed on his own right hand. Chimaev hit the body with a front kick. Burns wasn’t done though, connecting a few more times and pushing Chimaev back.

FIGHT OF THE YEAR? #UFC273 pic.twitter.com/kJRIe34z6p

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 10, 2022

They were down to ninety seconds, and Burns landed a right hand. Chimaev then clipped Burns. We were in Fight of the Year candidate territory at this point. Burns connected three times straight in the final minute. Chimaev waved him on. Chimaev then charged forward with a body kick, finishing the round strong!

A fight that had lofty expectations to live up to, managed to surpass them. Khamzat Chimaev also lived up to the hype — and it feels like a big fight, a main event, should be next, given he just knocked off an ex-title challenger and the #2 ranked fighter in the welterweight division.

Official Result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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