Khamzat Chimaev admitted he "felt sorry" for his coaches just moments after outpointing Gilbert Burns at UFC 273.
Rising star Chimaev was in for the biggest test of his career against former title challenger Burns having fought just four times in the UFC before the fight. 'Borz' was the betting favourite despite being ranked No.11 at 170-pounds whilst Burns was No.2 in the division.
Chimaev got the nod on all three judges' scorecards, but took more damage in the fight than he had hoped for. The Chechen had absorbed just one strike in his past four bouts but took 119 against Burns. Chimaev's coach Andreas Michael was furious with him heading into the last round and begged him to stop brawling with Burns.
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Speaking in his locker room after the fight, Chimaev said on his YouTube channel: “I feel sorry for my coaches, they work hard with me. I made many mistakes, [I'll go] back and watch my fight, like I always do. I will work hard, more energy.
"I need to be (better) everywhere. Black belt in striking, ground-and-pound, wrestling, grappling, everything. I will fix everything now. One way I’m happy and one way I’m mad. I’m mad because I couldn’t finish the guy."
His Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach Alan Finfou then told him: “Experience. You have to beat them with being smart, with a strategy". Head coach Michael later weighed in by telling Chimaev: "We know what you can do, that's why we're like 'what the f***' happened tonight."
In Chimaev's past fights he took his opponents down and either stopped them with ground and pound or a submission. He showed off his striking abilities in his 17-second knockout of Gerald Meerscahert by landing a huge right hand that instantly rendered his opponent unconscious.
A win over Burns has catapulted Chimaev up to No.3 in the welterweight rankings. UFC president Dana White stated the promotion will look to book Chimaev against Colby Covington next and 'Borz' has vowed to knock out the former interim champion if they meet in the octagon.
"If he wants to fight, of course I want to fight with him. If they give me somebody else, I'm going to fight him. I wait for my title, Dana said everyone wants to see him [fight] for the title. Colby, I have to knock him out. He's a tough guy but he's not on my level, I will go and knock him out," Chimaev told BT Sport.
