UFC legend Chael Sonnen has admitted he is "drunk" with excitement after watching Khamzat Chimaev train for his clash with Gilbert Burns.
Chimaev is widely regarded as one of the promotion's most exciting prospects and has captured the eye with his opening four victories.
The Swedish star has now been rewarded with a huge shot at No.2 ranked welterweight contender Burns which will take place at UFC 273 on April 9.
And Sonnen has claimed he is leaning towards a Chimaev victory and believes he has the momentum going into the fight.
"Right now, I am leaning towards Chimaev. But I'm drunk on the excitement of Chimaev," Sonnen said on The Fight with Teddy Atlas podcast.
"No fighter's got the wind on his back quite like Chimaev. There's just something to be said for momentum. I got to watch him work out for the first time last week. All the rumours are true.
"There's a fear in the unknown and the mystery here does lie with Chimaev? How is he going to do in championship rounds four and five?
"Probably well but I am not willing to give a nod for a title shot to a guy who has won fights against unranked opponents over the leading No.1 contender."
Chimaev's rise has been quickly fast-tracked to facing Burns but is keen to face several other leading contenders including Belal Muhammed.
He previously fought a tough battle with coronavirus but made his return with a dominant victory over Li Jingliang last year to remind fans of his supreme talent.
Some believe he could soon face a quick-time shot at the welterweight champion Kamaru Usman with a lack of challengers for the Nigerian's crown.
Usman has since dismissed chances of Chimaev being his next challenger and is instead focused on the likely next rematch with Leon Edwards.
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UFC president Dana White has also delivered extremely high-praise for 'Borz' and believes the rising star is continuing to be avoided.
"Khamzat Chimaev is one of the baddest dudes that I've ever come across and is literally willing to fight anyway, doesn't care what the timeframe is or any of that stuff," he told Jim Rome. "Nobody wants to fight this guy.
"Everybody wants to get out on social media and say this or say that. But when it really comes down to it, nobody’s trying to fight Khamzat Chimaev.
"I don’t blame them. But at the end of the day when you’re a professional fighter – this is what you do – you should look at a guy with as much hype and as much bravado as Chimaev has, as a huge opportunity.”
