LAS VEGAS – Former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns isn’t exactly sold on the idea of the potential Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz matchup.
Recently it was revealed the UFC matchmakers were planning on creating the fight between Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) and Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) when it was spotted in the background on the UFC’s “War Room” board during an interview with UFC president Dana White. While the fights on the board are not all done deals, White confirmed he is interested in finalizing the bout.
Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC), however, is torn on the idea.
“It doesn’t make no sense for me, I don’t know,” Burns told reporters including MMA Junkie on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “As a fan, no ranks, no nothing – as a fan, f*ck yeah I would watch the fight.”
Burns is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Chimaev at UFC 273, which was an incredible back-and-forth battle that earned Fight of the Night honors and is currently at the forefront of Fight of the Year discussions. It was a risky fight for Burns, who held a higher spot in the rankings than Chimaev. However, he knew that if he could stop his momentum, it would be a big feather in his cap.
Chimaev did win the fight and is now ranked No. 3 in the promotional rankings knocking on the door of a title shot against the champ Kamaru Usman. Diaz, however, does not have a number next to his name.
“I didn’t have to give the opportunity to Khamzat,” Burns said. “I give it because I wanted it. I wanted to test the guy.
“So he fought the No. 2, he becomes the No. 3, now he’s gonna fight a guy that – OK, it’s Nate Diaz, but he didn’t have a win in a couple years. As a ranking, it doesn’t make sense, as a fan, f*ck yeah, would watch it.”
Looking beyond the rankings, as he would be willing to do just to take in the fight from the sideline, Burns doesn’t think the pairing is all that competitive.
“I don’t think Nate has a chance in that fight,” Burns said. “I would like to get that fight. I don’t think he has a chance, but sh*t, as a fan, I’d watch it. I like to watch Nate. … It doesn’t make sense, but f*ck it, I’d watch it, you know?”