UFC Predictions: UFC 273: Alexander Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie

#3. UFC welterweight bout: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns

Can Khamzat Chimaev successfully step up in competition again when he faces Gilbert Burns?

In a lot of respects, this fight could well be considered even better than the two title bouts on this UFC card. Not only is it the first real elite-level test for the UFC’s most hyped-up prospect in the form of Khamzat Chimaev, it also feels like one of those special fights where literally anything could happen.

Many UFC fans will probably expect Chimaev to run right through Gilbert Burns here. After all, ‘Borz’ hasn't failed to live up to expectations to date, smashing through all four of his octagon opponents without even eating a significant strike.

More to the point, the native of Chechnya made stepping up a level look scarily easy last year when he took out ranked UFC welterweight contender Li Jingliang with a first-round rear-naked choke. Essentially, Chimaev made ‘The Leech’ look like a rank amateur.

However, it’s safe to say that Burns is on a thoroughly different level to even Li. Not only did ‘Durinho’ fight for the welterweight title in 2021, but he’s also got wins over the likes of Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia and Gunnar Nelson.

Burns is a world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist with excellent submission skills and strong takedowns. His striking has also come along leaps and bounds in recent years, to the point that he’s far more than just a power puncher now.

Despite this, though, there’s definitely an argument to suggest Chimaev is a bad match for him. Not only will ‘Borz’ likely have a huge size advantage over the former lightweight come fight time, but it also seems unlikely that the Brazilian will come close to outwrestling him.

Essentially then, Chimaev should be able to choose exactly where this fight takes place. If he decides to keep things standing, then there’s definitely the chance that one of his power shots turns out Burns’ lights just as he did to Gerald Meerschaert.

On the ground, while Burns is an excellent submission artist, he isn’t a renowned guard player. He’ll also be likely to have to deal with Chimaev’s ruthless ground-and-pound, as well as his own substantial submission skills.

Unless Chimaev turns out to be more hype than substance, which there’s nothing to suggest that’s the case, then it seems likely that he’ll use his wrestling to find some kind of way to come out on top here, probably in impressive fashion.

The Pick: Chimaev via second-round TKO

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#4. UFC 273: The Main Card

Picks in bold

Women's strawweight bout: Mackenzie Dern vs. Tecia Torres

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#5. UFC 273: The Prelims

Picks in bold

Women's bantamweight bout: Aspen Ladd vs. Raquel Pennington

Welterweight bout: Ian Garry vs. Darian Weeks

Middleweight bout: Anthony Hernandez vs. Josh Fremd

Heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Welterweight bout: Mickey Gall vs. Mike Malott

Heavyweight bout: Aleksei Oleinik vs. Jared Vanderaa

Bantamweight bout: Julio Arce vs. Daniel Santos

Lightweight bout: Vinc Pichel vs. Mark Madsen

Women's strawweight bout: Piera Rodriguez vs. Kay Hansen

*Note: One preliminary bout is expected to be moved to the main card.