Gilbert Burns believes Khamzat Chimaev is being overhyped by new best pal Darren Till and top light-heavyweight Alexander Gustafson ahead of their fight.
The Brazilian and the Swede will meet this weekend at UFC 273 in what is a huge step-up in opponent for Chimaev since he signed with the UFC and exploded on to the scene with four quick finishes. But despite being ranked nine spots higher in the world and having more than twice as many fights, Burns has been made a big underdog with bookies
Burns is undeterred however and believes he will be able to circumvent the Swede's powerful wrestling offence with his defensive grappling, and earn himself an upset victory. And he feels his rival's strengths are being slightly overblown by his close pals Till and Gustafson.
"I'm not going to be the guy that doubts him," Burns told Mirror Fighting . "I think he's very good, but for sure they overdo it a little bit. One hundred per cent, I don't think anyone's lying but I think they're saying a bit extra. Especially like when you hear from Darren Till and Alexander Gustafson.
"I've grappled with Gustafson a couple of years ago, and then I saw nothing special - he was way bigger than me but I did whatever I wanted and they're going 'this guy is a monster', but I did whatever I wanted with you as well.
"Darren Till, too, sometimes it gets twisted because he's going on about this guy being on top of him but Derek Brunson was just on top of him and I could name three or four other guys. I respect, and see what they're saying, he has a very high level of wrestling and it looks like he's very strong and has good cardio but it is what it is.
"I'm here to fight the best, I have two goals in the UFC and that's to become champion and fight the best guys in the UFC. I think, and I hope, that he is one of the best, I want to face the best guys."
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However, Burns understands that due to Chimaev's intensive pressurising style, it'll be difficult to convince the judges, and feels he needs a finish. "I'm going to get him, but I need a finish," he continued. "I do believe, I've seen the fight a few times in my head because I like visualisation, and I don't like it going to the judges. I'm going to get a finish or he is, that's the way I see it.
"Especially if he comes the way he comes and I go the way I go, first or second round finish is coming, it won't go to the third round, that's the way I see it.
"I think Chimaev is very, very tough, he has taken one punch in four fights, that's a big thing, he's a high level wrestler with power in his hands. He's very tall, very big so I'm getting ready for a frickin' monster. That's what I'm looking forward to, I give a lot of respect to him but it's going to be a big step up for him and let's see if he's ready for the test."
UFC Welterweight contender and multiple-time BJJ world champion Gilbert Burns was speaking as an ambassador for Love Hemp
