On the main card of UFC 273, an event that takes place next Saturday in VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, in Florida (USA), Gilbert Durinho measures forces against Khamzat Shimaev, with an eye on the welterweight title (up to 77kg.). Exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS, four MMA athletes gave their guesses about who will win the confrontation.
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Durinho aims for a new opportunity for the belt, which belongs to Kamaru Usman and comes from triumph over Stephen Thompson, in July 2021. In his career, the Brazilian now has a record of 20 positive results and four negative results.
Undefeated in professional MMA, Chimaev impressed at the start of his career in the UFC with four victories by interruption, three of which were in the first round and two of which were just ten days apart. The Swede is coming off an important victory over li jingliang, in October.
Fabricio Werdum
“Durinho is my friend and, obviously, I'm supporting Durinho. But, being real, the Chechen is really awesome. With a champion area. He is fine, aware of everything and trained. We can see when the guy will be the champion and become champion too. (…), but I really believe in Durinho, who is a focused guy and trains a lot. And, by taking it to the ground and playing the right game to try to finish, I think he can do it”, analyzed the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Bruno Blindado
“Durinho is an expert guy who specializes in jiu-jitsu, but who has been proving himself in stand-up fighting and showing that he is a good punching and wrestling guy. Chimaev is skilled, talented, but I haven't seen him fight against guys at high levels yet. It's a dangerous fight for both sides; Durinho specializes in jiu-jitsu, but does a good amount of standing. And the Chechen has a good head. It's a good fight. Being a patriot, I think Durinho wins. But, analyzing both sides, I don’t know who wins this fight”, said the middleweight.
Carlos Boi
“There are a lot of people putting Chimaev on a pedestal, but people are forgetting that Durinho is a world-class guy precisely in the area that Chimaev is good at. It's going to be a tough fight and, if I were to bet, it would be on Durinho. He has already shown that he has made great progress in the striking area – which is where I think the fight will unfold”, said the Bahian.
Davi ramos
“I've trained with Durinho for a long time and I know he has much better and more refined jiu-jitsu. I can't say that he has the same wrestling as Chimaev, who is a guy who comes from a region where they have a 'high level' of wrestling. But nothing that Durinho can't put down. I don't think this fight will go down, as Chimaev will be aware of going to the ground. I think it will happen more on the feet (…) Durinho has very heavy hands and that’s what I see in the fight”, concluded the athlete.
