“The game play against you,” Khamzat Chimaev refuses to predict outcome of Kamaru Usman fight after brutal reality check against Gilbert Burns

Chael Sonnen interviewed Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their UFC 294 co-main event.

“The game play against you,” Khamzat Chimaev refuses to predict outcome of Kamaru Usman fight after brutal reality check against Gilbert Burns

Khamzat Chimaev humbled bu Gilbert Burns preluding UFC 294 against Kamaru Usman (Image via: Imago)

Chael Sonnen recently interviewed Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev preluding their fight at UFC 294. Usman and Chimaev are to lock horns in the co-main event of UFC 294. Paulo Costa was the original opponent for Chimaev but withdrew due to a staph infection.

The interview was not aggressive as both Chimaev and Usman showed respect for each other. Moreover, Chimaev had interesting things to say when Sonnen asked for a prediction. Chimaev said, “Never give you prediction. Can’t give prediction before the fight.” He further explained this decision, “For the Gilbert Burns fights, learned a lot of things.”

He referenced the prediction he gave of knocking out Burns with a single punch preluding their fight. Chimeav even said, “The game play against you. How to be focused in fight, from 1st second to last second.” Chimaev was of the opinion that giving a prediction shifts focus away from the fight.

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Interestingly, both Usman and Chimaev have fought Gilbert Burns. Usman defeated Burns at a title fight at UFC 258 winning a Performance of the Night bonus for his third-round TKO. Chimaev, on the other hand, engaged in Fight of the Night winning a bout against Burns at UFC 273. As of now, Usman and Chimaev are ranked 1st and 4th in the UFC welterweight rankings. However, their bout at UFC 294 is at middleweight.

Dana White has already stated the winner of Usman vs Chimaev would get the next title shot at middleweight. Sean Strickland is the current middleweight champion after a stellar performance over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 won him the belt. Usman had already beaten Strickland when he was at welterweight. Chimaev has trained with Strickland at Extreme Couture.

Related: WATCH: Etihad arena unleashes epic CGI extravaganza for UFC 294 main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev

Chael Sonnen showers respect on Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev for agreeing to the matchup at UFC 294

UFC 294 was supposed to be headlined by Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. The co-main event was Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa. However, injuries to the Brazilians meant that the promotion had to go another route. Alexander Volkanovski and Kamaru Usman stepped up on short notice to the UFC’s delight.

Chael Sonnen showers respect on Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev
Chael Sonnen showers respect on Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev (Image via: YouTube/ESPN MMA)

Chael Sonnen recently interviewed Usman and Chimaev for ESPN. Sonnen concluded the interview by showering respect to both the fighters to make the fight happen. “The American Gangster” said, “I respect that you guys have both gone on with this. The first rule is the show must go forward.” With the winner getting a title shot, the stakes are high for the event.

Usman is coming off two losses to welterweight champion, Leon Edwards. The fight is Usman’s debut in the UFC’s middleweight division. Chimaev has fought at middleweight before. However, he has not fought a big-name fighter like Kamaru Usman who is one of the GOAT of the welterweight division.

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