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“I Didn’t Know He Was So Tough” – Khamzat Chimaev Haunted by Scary Past as Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns Join Hands Against Him at UFC 294

Published 10/13/2023, 5:50 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

When it seemed like Khamzat Chimaev would have to wait a bit more for his return, Kamaru Usman stepped in to fight at UFC 294. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ replaced Paulo Costa, who suffered a nasty elbow injury. However, ‘Borz’ cannot take Usman lightly, as his former rival joined the former welterweight champion in training.

Kamaru Usman hasn’t been at his best recently, with two consecutive losses and a failed attempt to regain his welterweight title. However, he seems to be trying to put that behind him as he took the fight against Khamzat Chimaev at just a few days’ notice. He did not even forget to get some extra help against Chimaev.

Kamaru Usman trains with Gilbert Burns

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The former UFC champion seems to be leaving no stone unturned ahead of his UFC 294 fight. Given that Khamzat Chimaev is no easy opponent, Kamaru Usman caught up with ‘Borz’s former rival Gilbert Burns. ‘Durinho’ seems to be the perfect sparring partner for ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ since he’s the only one who’s taken Chimaev to his limit. However, he did not win the fight. But it surely doesn’t hurt Usman to train with someone who knows how the new Emirati fighter battles inside the Octagon.

 

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However, this doesn’t seem to worry Khamzat Chimaev too much. Given that he has beaten Gilbert Burns in the past, the 29-year-old believes that Kamaru Usman will be the next victim after ‘Durinho’. Moreover, he shared a comment on their sparring video clip. Chimaev said, “One more.” However, Burns was quick to give him an important reminder.

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‘Durinho’ reminds Khamzat Chimaev about their UFC 273 fight

Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated and is known for his ability to rag-doll his opponents. However, very few people talk about his all-out war against Gilbert Burns. The duo tore the house down with the epic battle at UFC 273. Moreover, it was the only UFC fight where Chimaev could not register a finish.

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As such, ‘Durinho’ took notice of Khamzat Chimaev’s comment on the Instagram post and asked him if the Emirati fighter meant that he wanted another war, like UFC 273. Similarly, he warned ‘Borz’ about his upcoming fight against Kamaru Usman by reminding the undefeated fighter about the time when he was surprised by Burns. The Brazilian fighter said, “[Khamzat Chimaev] one more what? War? – ‘I didn’t know he was so tough’ remember?”

Gilbert Burns seems to believe that Kamaru Usman could prove to be a tough opponent for Khamzat Chimaev. Moreover, the contenders have extra motivation to win the fight. News recently broke out that the winner would challenge the middleweight champion. It remains to be seen how things will unfold on October 21st.

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Who do you think will emerge victorious at UFC 294? Drop your comments below.

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Written by:

Himanga Mahanta

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Himanga Mahanta is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. He has a passion for combat sports and a deep understanding of the intricacies of MMA. With his expertise and extensive knowledge, Himanga provides in-depth coverage of UFC events and fighters, bringing his readers closer to the action and the athletes they admire.
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Edited by:

Abhishek Das