Durinho exposes Chimaev's weaknesses, but is overcome by points in a real battle at UFC 273

K. Chimaev (left) and G. Durinho (right) fought a great battle in the UFC 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

It's human. In one of the most anticipated fights in the UFC 273, held this Saturday (9), in Jacksonville (USA), Gilbert Durinho managed to expose weaknesses in Khamzat Shimaev, but failed to live up to the organization's promise. Featured on the main card, the Brazilian put up a true battle against the Swede, however, after three rounds of frank confrontation, he ended up defeated by unanimous decision from the judges.

See too

Volkanovski defeats Zumbi Coreano and defends featherweight belt with knockout and gala performance at UFC 273

Mackenzie Dern defeats Tecia Torres in a split decision and wins again at UFC 273

VIDEO: Watch Chimaev's victory over Gilbert Durinho at UFC 273

With the result, Durinho momentarily moves away from a new opportunity to compete for the welterweight belt (up to 77kg.). The stumble could cause the Brazilian to lose second place in the rankings to this weekend's opponent.

Considered the big bet for the future of the UFC, Chimaev didn't have an easy life, but he managed to overcome the biggest challenge of his career so far. Facing the Niteroi native, Khamzat came to grips with attacks from the Tupiniquim, but knew how to manage the bad moment and find himself back in the fight.

In an interview after the official announcement, the Swede expressed satisfaction with the fight. For the first time, in 10 appearances, 'Dana White's pupil' failed to win in the fast lane. Now, the fighter has 11 victories in a row and doesn't know what it's like to lose in professional MMA.

The fight

The confrontation began with Chimaev taking the initiative with a kick followed by a cross. The Swede then flew at the Brazilian's legs and started to press the Niteroi native against the bars. Gilbert tried to free himself, but Khamzat remained focused on his strategy. Khamzat managed to take down and Durinho protected himself. With no action taken, the fight was once again fought standing up. Two minutes later, Gilbert knocked his rival off balance with a low kick. The Swede responded with a cross, which rocked the Brazilian. Halfway through the round, the Tupiniquim shook his opponent with a straight shot. The Niteroi native began to loosen up and forced his opponent to walk backwards. The duel remained tense, with the fighters waiting for the best moment to strike. In the final minute, Chimaev landed a clean right on Gilbert's face, who fell. The Swede tried to take advantage of the good moment and Durinho protected himself as best he could. The confrontation was fought again on the feet, after the promise did not accept to enter the Tupiniquim guard. In the final seconds, Durinho hit the Swede squarely in the face, but there was no more time.

In the second round, Chimaev took the initiative with a sequence of two kicks. In response, Durinho looked for a takedown, but the Swede defended well. The fight continued 'back and forth', with the athletes engaging in frank exchanges. With almost two minutes gone, Chimaev started to attack the Niteroi native with a combination of jabs and straight shots. Halfway through the round, Durinho knocked the Swede off balance with a straight shot. The Brazilian tried to take advantage of the good moment, but Chimaev showed danger with his counterattacks. As time passed, Khamzat showed signs that he felt the Brazilian's attacks. Near the final minute, Gilbert attempted another takedown, but his opponent defended himself again. In the final minute, Chimaev landed a combination of rights to the Brazilian's face, but the Tupiniquim absorbed the attacks well. In the final seconds, Khamzat struck again with an attack from the Brazilian, but there was no more time.

The last round began with Durinho throwing a straight shot, which stopped in the Swede's guard. Khamzat attacked from long range, but the Brazilian protected himself. After just over a minute, Durinho went for his rival's legs and tried to take his opponent to the ground. Two minutes into the round, Chimaev found a good sequence of punches and the Brazilian felt it. Without defense, the Tupiniquim accumulated damage. The Swede walked forward and attacked from long distance, making use of his greater reach. As the minutes passed, the Tupiniquim team found it difficult to enter the opponent's range of action. The Brazilian managed to land a direct shot on his opponent. In the final minute, the Tupiniquim grew in the fight and launched crosses, which touched his rival's face. Towards the end of the fight, the athletes started to engage in frank exchanges, but the timer ran to zero.