5 bold predictions for UFC 273

#2. Aljamain Sterling makes it close

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Petr Yan lost a winning fight after throwing an illegal strike to a downed Aljamain Sterling. Although there is no excuse for this strike being thrown, Yan was in complete control of the fight prior to it. Sterling seemed to let it all go in the first round. This game plan was a terrible one, seeing how Yan only gets better as the fight progresses.

With time off to assess his mistakes, train with his great team, outsource strikers such as Adrian Yanez, and get a surgery to repair a festering injury, Sterling should make this outing a lot closer than their first fight and much more competitive than most are predicting.

The former champion didn't show many holes in his game that he'd need to patch up. Although he's been working hard, he has the comfort of knowing he was the better fighter in the first meeting. 'Funk Master' probably took this time off to make the necessary move to complete his game in preparation for this fight. Though Yan could steal the belt back in a similar performance to their first, Sterling has the talent to make this a very close fight, if not a winnable one.

#1. Gilbert Burns puts Khamzat Chimaev to sleep

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Khamzat Chimaev is very much the real deal. Some doubt it but most buy it. However, Gilbert Burns is the real deal too, just a more verified one. He's been fighting the best of the best for quite some time now.

While Chimaev is a serious threat, Burns is addressing him as such. The striking could be very even, the wrestling will favor 'Borz', but the jiu jitsu prowess of Burns could very well be the exposable hole in the undefeated fighter's game.

Burns hasn't leaned on his submission skills a whole lot as of late, as he's been rounding out his game. However, this fight would be the perfect one for 'Dirinho' to go back to his submission-hunting ways. If the fight goes into the later rounds where the Brazilian's tenure will show, he could catch a submission that'll render Chimaev unconscious and derail his run for the title early on.