Gilbert Burns doubts Colby Covington accepts fight vs. Khamzat Chimaev: ‘He picks and chooses’

Gilbert Burns doubts Colby Covington accepts fight vs. Khamzat Chimaev: ‘He picks and chooses’

Colby Covington vs. Khamzat Chimaev seems to be in the UFC’s plans, but maybe not in Covington’s, that’s at least according to Gilbert Burns.

The UFC welterweight contender and former title challenger is highly skeptical that Covington will accept a fight against Chimaev, as proposed by UFC president Dana White earlier in the month. Burns, who lost to Chimaev in a close Fight of the Year contender at UFC 273, thinks Chimaev will have to look elsewhere for an opponent.

“That’s a tough fight, but first thing is first – Colby has to accept the fight and I don’t think he will,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “I don’t know why, but I just have a feeling he won’t accept the fight. That’s the feeling that I have.

“I think it will be a very tough fight, a very, very close fight. But I just don’t think he’ll say yes. I just don’t think. Maybe Belal (Muhammad) is there and they make Belal vs. Khamzat. I said I’ll be ready for a rematch, so we’ll see. I want big fights, that’s what I’m looking for next. But I don’t think Colby will fight Khamzat.”

Outside of the pair of championship fights against Kamaru Usman, Covington’s last three opponents since 2019 have all been coming off multiple losses – Jorge Masvidal, Tyron Woodley, and Robbie Lawler. Burns thinks Covington has been selective with his opposition and tends to lean towards favorable matchups.

“Because lately, he’s just getting the fights against guys that are coming off a loss and he picks and chooses,” Burns said. “I just don’t think he will do it. I don’t know. It’s a feeling that I have. He’s not taking this fight.”

Chimaev remains unbeaten in his MMA career and has quickly become one of the biggest stars in the UFC. If he were to fight Covington, who’s a former interim champion, Burns would give an edge to the Chechen fighter despite Covington’s accolades.

“Very close fight, we have to see Khamzat in five rounds and Colby did a couple of times,” Burns said. “Very tough fight. I don’t know if Colby can wrestle him. I don’t know if Colby can take all the punches. Colby definitely doesn’t have the power in his hands to hurt Khamzat. I see Khamzat maybe the favorite in this fight.”