Outside Source
Khamzat Chimaev figures to be a stern test for any UFC middleweight. | Getty/UFC
Gilbert Burns claims Khamzat Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach is keenly watching a potential middleweight title challenger.
Burns recently acknowledged Reinier de Ridder as the biggest threat to the reigning UFC middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev. “Durinho” further revealed that Chimaev’s longterm jiu-jitsu coach, Alan Nascimento, believes the same. Burns had a word with Nascimento, who admitted that he has already been watching tape on “The Dutch Knight.”
Advertisement
Burns Details Conversation with Chimaev’s Jiu-Jitsu Coach
“I think from the whole division [de Ridder] is the one that has [the best] chance,” said on the Buiten de Kooi MMA Podcast. “… I was talking to Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach – we’ve fought before – and I asked, ‘Who do you think is the hardest fight?’ Then I said, I’m gonna tell you but then you tell me. I said RDR, he said, ‘Me too, I think RDR.’ He said, ‘I have all RDR videos, I watch everything already.’ I think he can win, I think his jiu-jitsu is high level. I train with him a couple of times, he’s very good, very big. I don’t know how he make middleweight, he’s huge.”
Burns gave Chimaev one of the toughest tests of his career in 2022 before “Borz” moved up to middleweight. The undefeated Chechen-born became middleweight champion with a dominant unanimous decision win over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last month.
Meanwhile, de Ridder was originally scheduled to headline UFC Vancouver against Anthony Hernandez on Oct. 18 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. However, Hernandez has been replaced by Brendan Allen. This change makes it slightly difficult for de Ridder to call for a title shot even if he wins, especially with No.1 contender Nassourdine Imavov waiting in the wings.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
