On April 9, Gilbert Durinho will have another great challenge ahead in Ultimate. The Brazilian is on the main card of the UFC 273, when facing the Swedish promise Khamzat Shimaev, in a fight scheduled to take place in the welterweight division (up to 77kg.). In an interview with SUPER FIGHTS, the fighter, who aims for a new chance at the title, highlighted his confidence in a knockout in the confrontation.
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“He is very dangerous. He has a heavy hand and very high level wrestling. But we are working a lot on the strategy there, in all areas. I already have a path of what I want to do, everything that can happen in the fight and on alert for anything else new that it can bring. The fight will have everything – striking, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. As a fighter and fan, I'm excited. The best case scenario is to go home without a scratch. The 'animal' comes in, knocks me down and I get up. And (standing) a knockout in the first round, within two minutes, without hurting me”, said Durinho.
Just as he wants to have another chance at the 77kg belt. against Kamaru Usman, Gilbert recognizes Chimaev's technical quality. For him, the Swede represents one of the biggest risks in the division, but he believes he will be rewarded if he manages to curb his opponent's hype.
“Chimaev is the biggest risk and the biggest reward. There are several tough guys in the division, but he is the one who brings the most risk. The UFC always sees a guy with the potential to be a great contender and, along the way, puts the athlete against tough fighters, but he 'killed' the guys. He didn't even get punched. He is different, he can say whatever. I see how dominant he is in his fights. He did what he wanted and controlled. He’s not just anyone”, analyzed the Brazilian.
Special motivation
No UFC 258, in February 2021, Gilbert Durinho had the chance for Ultimate 'gold', but stopped in Kamaru Usman by knockout in the third round. He, however, reveals that he still hasn't given up on having a new opportunity and thinks he can achieve it if he beats Chimaev.
“The only thing that can change is a title fight or promotion in the division. Media, followers and these stops I don't mind. It doesn't change anything. What changes is having a clear title fight. It's what motivates me the most. My goal is to be champion and fight against the best”, he concluded.
Will catch fire…
the duel between Gilbert Durinho e Khamzat Shimaev will be part of the main card of the UFC 273, scheduled for April 9th and will be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, in Jacksonville, Florida (USA).
In the main fights, the organization promotes a fight for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg) between Alexander Volkanovsky e Korean zombie and the long-awaited rematch for the bantamweight title (up to 61,2kg) between aljamain sterling e Petr yan.
