A pair of top UFC welterweights may have done some matchmaking of their own.
On Monday evening, former title challenger Gilbert Burns issued a plea to UFC president Dana White in reply to a call out from Khamzat Chimaev.
Recently on his YouTube channel, Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) mentioned Burns’ name among fighters who were talking about him but were not willing to step inside the octagon with him. He even went as far as saying, “I’m more Brazilian than him because my coach is Brazilian.” Chimaev also stated he would like the potential bout to take place in Brazil.
Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC), who has not competed since his unanimous decision win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, replied to Chimaev’s statements via social media.
“Make it happen Dana White, I’m all in,” Burns wrote on Twitter. He continued by calling for a five-round, main event bout in Brazil with Chimaev, matching the wishes of the undefeated rising star.
Make it happen @danawhite I’m all in! 5 rounds in 🇧🇷 🦍 vs 🐺 Let’s grappled! @KChimaev @ufc pic.twitter.com/aBMYaa18lb
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) January 17, 2022
Soon after Burns issued his statement on Twitter, Chimaev replied with his seal of approval with multiple “100%” emojis.
💯💯💯💯💯
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) January 17, 2022
Chimaev was last in action at UFC 267, where he defeated Li Jingliang in the first round via rear-naked choke submission, notching his third-straight first-round finish in a return from a serious bout with COVID-19. He then competed against Jack Hermansson in a wrestling bout a few weeks later, winning on points.
Burns has stated in the past he would share the cage with Chimaev, but the bout has yet to come together.
