5 reasons why Khamzat Chimaev deserves a UFC welterweight title shot if he beats Gilbert Burns

#2. The timeline would probably work perfectly for the UFC

Leon Edwards is set to fight Kamaru Usman in July, but Khamzat Chimaev could wait in the wings to face the winner

Perhaps the biggest thing in Khamzat Chimaev’s favor in terms of claiming a welterweight title shot with a win over Gilbert Burns is that the timeline should work perfectly for the UFC.

That’s because, according to recent reports, reigning champion Kamaru Usman is all set to defend his title against top contender Leon Edwards in July – meaning that the winner will probably be ready for another fight before the end of 2022.

It’s unlikely that the UFC would look to remove Edwards from the title bout at this stage – particularly as ‘Rocky’ has had to wait an lengthy amount of time for his shot and is on a ten-bout unbeaten run – but waiting a little longer shouldn’t matter to Chimaev.

Essentially, with a big win over Burns this weekend, ‘Borz’ should be able to stake his claim as the top contender and could even make an appearance to challenge the victor of Usman vs. Edwards inside the octagon.

If his fight with Burns were to happen after Usman vs. Edwards, then there’d be every chance that the UFC would look to hand a title shot to a different contender – but in this case, the timeline works and with a win, Chimaev could be sitting pretty and call his own shot in late 2022.

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#1. A fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman would be a huge draw

Khamzat Chimaev looks all set to become a major drawing card for the UFC

Perhaps the biggest reason that Khamzat Chimaev should be given a shot at the UFC welterweight title if he beats Gilbert Burns – from the promotion’s standpoint – is that a bout between 'Borz' and Usman would probably be a huge draw on pay-per-view.

‘Borz’ is probably the most highly touted prospect to arrive in the UFC since Conor McGregor in 2013, and like ‘Notorious’ has lived up to every bit of that hype thus far.

Is Chimaev a major drawing card at this point? Given that he’s only fought once on pay-per-view thus far, we don’t know. But the fact that he’s one of the most popular fighters on the UFC’s roster – with a crazy 3.4 million followers on Instagram – it’s probably not a stretch to suggest that he could be.

Kamaru Usman, on the other hand, is somewhat of a proven draw, as his first clash with Jorge Masvidal in 2020 drew more than a million buys on pay-per-view. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ isn’t a mainstream star like McGregor, but against the right opponent, it’s clear that fans will pay to see him perform.

Chimaev – assuming he beats Burns this weekend – would almost certainly be the 'right opponent' for Usman, as he’d provide him with a stylistically difficult test and would come into the bout with a ridiculous amount of momentum.

Not only would Usman vs. Chimaev be the most intriguing welterweight title bout in years, it would also feel like a huge event, rivaling any other fight the UFC could make right now. It’s the kind of fight that could easily draw over a million buys, and with that considered, it’d be a no-brainer for the UFC to book it if both men win their next fights.