Gilbert Burns believes Khamzat Chimaev only needs to fine-tune a few aspects of his approach to become a UFC champion across three weight classes. Once seen as one of the sport’s top talents, Chimaev’s aura has dimmed slightly following his first career loss to Sean Strickland. With his UFC future uncertain, there’s a chance he may step away from fighting if things don’t go as planned within the promotion.
Despite this, Burns maintains that Chimaev remains an elite fighter. As they prepare to face off in their RAF wrestling match on September 18, Burns has praised Chimaev’s potential. He feels that if Chimaev commits to the right coaching team and avoids frequently switching camps, he could make history by capturing titles in three divisions in the UFC.
Burns explained, “I think he’ll return soon. He’s still young and fresh. The only thing I’ve noticed from the outside is that he changes coaches and camps too often. When he fought me, he had a solid coach in Sweden with a small team, and I think he performed better then. That’s just my opinion.”
He added, “I believe he’ll bounce back with the right team—one that won’t simply agree with him but will tell him what he needs to hear. With that kind of support, he could reclaim champion status, maybe in two or even three divisions. He has what it takes; it’s just about getting his mindset right with a strong team, and I think he’ll become champion again.”
Fan Take: This insight from Gilbert Burns highlights the critical role of stability and guidance in an athlete’s success, particularly for a talent as promising as Khamzat Chimaev. If he can harness the right support system, his potential three-division reign could shake up the UFC landscape and inspire a new era of multi-weight champions.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
