UFC 273: Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev ‘made it through with flying colours’; will pay Gilbert Burns his win money
- Chimaev defeats Burns by hard-fought unanimous decision, failing to score a finish for the first time in his career
- ‘If you don’t think he’s the real deal, you’re out of your mind,’ UFC president White says of undefeated welterweight contender
UFC president Dana White is more impressed than ever by surging welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev returned to the Octagon on the main card of UFC 273 on Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida, where he took on former title challenger Gilbert Burns.
The Chechen-Swede was a massive betting favourite heading into the bout, and was widely expected to blow past Burns.
In the end, however, the 27-year-old scraped by the Brazilian with a hard-fought unanimous decision after a thrilling three-round slugfest. It was the first time in his career he failed to win by stoppage.
“It’s one of the best fights I’ve ever seen,” White said at the UFC 273 post-fight press conference, adding that he will pay Burns his win money despite his loss to Chimaev. “It’s one of the coolest fights I’ve ever been to.”