Gilbert Burns has only just got done fighting Khamzat Chimaev and already the IBJJF world champion is eager for a rematch against his opponent. The pair went to war for three rounds at UFC 273 in a fight that stole all of the attention on a night that featured two title-fights. The fight was mostly contested on the feet and although Burns came incredibly close to actually finishing Chimaev late in the second round, he ended up dropping the other two rounds and losing a unanimous decision where all three judges scored the fight 29-28. After the fight, Chimaev was actually awarded with his purple belt in BJJ for his remarkable victory over one of the best grapplers in the UFC welterweight division.
A rematch between Gilbert Burns and Khamzat Chimaev is a fight that fans will no doubt be interested in seeing given how exciting the pair’s first fight was, but Burns wants one small change if the pair do meet again. Burns actually wants more time in the cage against Chimaev and he’s eager for a five-round fight against the Chechnyan. Not only would this provide even more action for the fans and serve as a fantastic main event match, but it might actually be exactly what Burns needs in order to stop Chimaev’s meteoric rise to the top of the Welterweight division.
Gilbert Burns gave his comments on the potential for a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev in an interview with TSN.ca:
“I believe we’re not done. When they offered me this fight, I asked for five rounds. I just think if it was five rounds it would be way more entertaining. I think we’re not done. For sure he moved forward in rank and they wanna make the Colby fight. I just want one thing back from Khamzat. I want the courtesy. I was No. 2 and I fought No. 11. I want a rematch with Khamzat. If he beats Colby, he’s going to fight Kamaru. I just want my rematch in the next three fights. I believe we’re not done.”