Gilbert Burns, Only Common Opponent Of Usman, Chimaev, Breaks Down UFC 294 Fight

There’s just one man respiratory who has been in an Octagon with Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev — Gilbert Burns — and now “Durinho” is breaking down the extremely anticipated UFC 294 co-main occasion!

37-year-old Burns joined Babcock on the “TMZ Sports” TV present (airs nightly on FS1) … and having shared the cage with each title contenders, he informed us the place every man has the benefit.

For Khamzat, Burns says it is a plus he had a full camp — regardless that he was coaching for a special opponent in Paulo Costa. Nonetheless, Usman didn’t have any camp … save for a couple of days earlier than he left for Abu Dhabi.

With regards to Kamaru, Gilbert believes his huge array of expertise cannot be discounted. Usman has been in nearly each scenario … and that may’t be mentioned for Chimaev (this will likely be his seventh UFC combat, and Kamaru’s 18th in Dana’s promotion).

Two of these fights got here towards Burns.

Kamaru and Gilbert’s scrap was the principle occasion at UFC 258 in February 2021 … a combat Usman gained by third spherical TKO. The combat was very aggressive, particularly early, till KU took over, and ended issues, retaining his title.

Khamzat and Gilbert fought a 12 months and alter later at UFC 273 in April 2022 … a combat Chimaev gained by unanimous determination. Regardless of the choose’s scorecards, many consider Burns really gained the razor-close combat. It was with none doubt the primary time Borz was pushed … and whereas he actually bent, he did not break.

Burns breaks down far more concerning the looming combat … relating all the pieces from velocity and punching energy to power and skill on the bottom.

Usman, who took the combat on 10 days discover, is a sizeable underdog … round +250 at most sportsbooks (wager $100 to win $250, whereas you’d danger round $300 to win $100 on Chimaev).

Gilbert did not precisely decide a winner — at the very least not straight up — however given his experience, and the percentages … he had this to say.

“I think you should put a lot of money on Kamaru Usman,” Burns mentioned.