Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns had an amicable but competitive encounter ahead of UFC 273. It was also a little awkward.
Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) meets Burns (20-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) perhaps the most anticipated match of Saturday’s UFC 273 pay-per-view at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
While walking toward an elevator in the fighter host hotel Wednesday, Chimaev ran into Burns and started sizing him up. Wearing only towels, the pair shook hands and exchanged some words. It was friendly, but the tension is there, with heavy favorite Chimaev oozing confidence.
“You wanna fight me naked?” Chimaev says. “Ah you’re small, brother. … Show me power, brother.”
“I will show you Saturday,” Burns responds with a smile.
Watch their run-in below, via the UFC’s Instagram:
Here’s a closer look courtesy of Block Asset’s Instagram:
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‘You’re small, brother’: Khamzat Chimaev, Gilbert Burns size each other up wearing only towels