Does an undefeated record mean a fighter has no gaps in their armor? Khamzat Chimaev stormed into the UFC in 2020 with a terrifying mix of speed, power, and brutality. He finished his first four opponents with ease. Only one of those fights even made it to Round 2. The hype? It was real and gaining steam. But then came UFC 273.

That legend of being undefeatable, gone. The man who shattered the aura of invincibility surrounding ‘Borz’? It was Gilbert Burns. And suddenly, the unstoppable force hit a wall. Fans might remember the fight. But what they may not know is the staggering stat that changed everything and proved that the Chechen warrior isn’t the unstoppable juggernaut many thought he was until that point!

Gilbert Burns’ ‘aura-shattering’ performance against Khamzat Chimaev brought to light ahead of return

In a recent post on Instagram by the ‘Jaxxon Podcast’ it was revealed, “Did you know? Khamzat took 120 significant strikes over his first 5 fights. 119 strikes from Burns alone.” Yes, you read that right. Gilbert Burns nearly landed as many strikes in one night as the rest of Khamzat Chimaev’s opponents combined!

Their 2022 showdown in Jacksonville, Florida, was more than just a fight. It was a trial by fire. For the first time in his UFC career, Chimaev heard the final horn. The judges scored the bout unanimously in his favor, but the numbers told another story. Let’s look at the stats.

Burns landed 119 of 200 significant strikes, connecting at 59% accuracy. Chimaev, on the other hand, went 108 for 223, a 48% clip. The Brazilian didn’t score any takedowns, but his punches did the talking. In contrast, Chimaev landed 2 of 3 takedowns and controlled Burns on the ground for over two minutes. But those strikes, those 119 missiles launched screaming at ‘Borz’, made all the difference in perception.

Burns even dropped Chimaev in Round 2 during a heated exchange. The Brazilian bloodied him, staggered him, and made him look human. At one point, Khamzat Chimaev even held on to Burns after the horn, only to get shoved off and stumble back to his stool. Despite securing the win, something had changed for ‘Borz’. The illusion of invincibility? Shattered completely.

Now, fast-forward to the present. Gilbert Burns is back. The veteran Brazilian returns to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 106, where he’ll be taking on yet another undefeated prospect in Michael Morales. After three consecutive losses to elite names like Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, and Sean Brady, Burns is hungry to prove his place in the division again. But if Morales thinks he’s getting an easy name on his resume, he might be in for the same shock that happened to Khamzat Chimaev!

Burns is ready to test Michael Morales at UFC Vegas 106

Gilbert Burns is 38 now and coming off three straight losses. Some fighters fade at this point and may even consider declining a fight against a dangerous name like Michael Morales. But Burns is not flinching and walking straight into the fire. Why?

In an interview with ‘Home of Fight’, Durinho bluntly stated, “The UFC called and asked me [about the fight], and they know I’ll fight anyone. I’m not picking and choosing easy fights. I’m not that type of guy. I’m here to fight.” Morales is young, fast, and undefeated. But has he ever stood across from someone like Burns? Someone who’s gone to war with Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev, and Belal Muhammad?  Burns knows what’s at stake here. He’s still ranked No. 8 in the welterweight division, but three losses can turn whispers into shouts. Is he past his prime?

According to Burns, “People like to use the term gatekeeper, but you have to pass through one of those guys to get to the top, so I like that. I don’t mind being that guy.” The fight is a test not just for Morales, but for Burns, too. And while the odds may say Morales is the future, Gilbert Burns is here to remind the MMA sphere that legends don’t fade quietly, they go down swinging, or they rise again.

Will ‘Durinho’ reality check another hype train at UFC Vegas 106 like he did against Khamzat Chimaev? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!