Khamzat Chimaev sees Gilbert Burns as stepping stone to Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington

Khamzat Chimaev believes that an impressive win over Gilbert Burns will earn him a shot at the winner of Jorge Masvidal‘s clash with Colby Covington.

The UFC is close to finalizing a potential No1 welterweight contender bout between the Russian-born Swedish MMA fighter and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace on April 9, according to reports.

Chimaev, 27, has outlanded his opponents a combined 252-2 times during his incredible undefeated career.

The Swede continued his 4-0 start in the UFC in Abu Dhabi last October, defeating perennial contender Li Jingliang via first-round submission.

And although he acknowledges the fight game is almost impossible to predict, he doesn’t think Burns will be much of a challenge.

Chimaev told RT Sport: “All those numbers mean nothing. 

“To be honest, I don’t see a real challenge in him. We’ll see. Everything may happen in a fight, but I’m confident, as usual.

“I think I will just smash him with my skills and power. I feel that way. He might feel different, but I will go there and do what I did the last time.”

Masvidal and Covington will meet in the main event of UFC 272 next month on March 5 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Chimaev revealed he will be paying close attention but says he doesn’t care who wins as he wants to fight them anyway.

He added: “I think they will give us a great fight. Masvidal is a slight favourite for me, but Colby is also a tough guy. He fights well.

“We’ll see. I think it’s 50-50. I don’t care which one of them wins.

“I am fighting Burns now, then, after beating Burns, hopefully I will fight the winner of Masvidal-Covington because it seems like Usman has a hand injury and needs time to recover.

“I hope he will recover soon, so I am waiting for this guy, too.