Khamzat Chimaev celebrates a win (Credits: Bloody Elbow)
Khamzat Chimaev’s head coach Andreas Michael details what triggered him at the UFC 273 fight against Gilbert Burns, and the advise he gave his student
One of the biggest moments from the UFC 273 clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns, was in the second round when the Brazilian hit Chimaev with some thudding shots and dropped him. Khamzat Chimaev’s head coach Andreas Michael was fuming with anger, and gave his pupil a mouthful for his display in the second round.
Chimaev got off to a good start, utilizing his wrestling skills and size advantage, and dropped Burns towards the end of the round. The Chechen detailed in the post-fight interview that he got too comfortable and obsessed to knock out Burns, which led to him losing the second round.
Later after the fight, he posted a picture of his student the fight detailing what advice he gave him. He said,
“People ask me what I told Khamza end of round 2 this is what I told him ”stop brawling stop having a street fight use your straight punches and keep it easy, this is an easy fight if you don’t brawl all you have to do is keep him on your jab and have patience. Don’t make it harder than it has to be
Nothing else was needed just a fast jab and sometimes a straight right keeping your distance reach, to not get hit with the hooks. That’s what I demanded from him. I told him to stop giving everyone a show and just keep it boring and simple. To not force anything just be fast and light on his feet. This was the game plan all along. Easier than Wrestling and Easier than Grappling. In flashes we saw that. Gilbert with all respect is a tough gritty Brave warrior. All the love and respect to him. These guys gave a show to the public. But as a coach I don’t care about the public I care about the easiest way to the WIN with the minimum damage. That’s my number one job to protect the fighter.”
He also criticized fans who believe that the fame has been deflated, and want people to give his pupil more credit for standing toe-to-toe with the best in the division in such a short tenure. He said, ‘
Everyone talks about the hype train is over? How many fighters in the beginning of their careers not even against top-ranked opponents had absolute lack lustred performances in their career. Shall I rack Them up? Champions legends list goes on. This means nothing! A famous basketball player told me once it’s hard winning damn hard! My opinion about this is that Khamza was 40% last night cause he went in with the mindset that he wanted to knock him out and show everyone. Who cares about everyone! People only support and love you when your winning, so the only goal is the WIN! But like a warrior, he wanted a WAR.
I was very upset because I believe and know what he can do. You haven’t even seen that Yet it’s scary! Learning listening curve.
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People gonna underestimate us now……….big mistake! Be my guest!”
Before Burns signed the dotted line to fight Chimaev, Dana White had expressed his interest in booking a potential fight between Nate Diaz and the Chechen. It is informed to all by now that Diaz is waiting with bated breath to fight out the last fight in his contract and test the free agency waters.
Diaz had blasted the idea during an interview with TMZ Sports stating that Chimaev hasn’t fought a top contender yet, and he needs to work up the rank to deserve a fight against him.
The younger Diaz brother had famously called out Conor Mcgregor in a profanity-laced post fight interview owing to the push and hype the Irish Man was receiving from the organization. The Stockton slugger notices the same pattern with the push that Chimaev has been receiving and this did not sit well with him.
He posted an Instagram story with the caption, ‘ Outta nowhere? He’s from ur nuts and ur skeeting. Him all over the media just like you did with Conor’s bitc＊＊ss. Fu＊＊both of them.’
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