UFC 273: Israel Adesanya says he is 'rooting' for Gilbert Burns in Khamzat Chimaev fight

Israel Adesanya thinks Gilbert Burns can pull off the upset when he faces Khamzat Chimaev on the main card of UFC 273 on Saturday night.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Burns will throw down with the undefeated Russian in an intriguing clash of styles this weekend at Vystar Veterans Memorial Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

Chimaev, 27, comes into the contest with a wave of momentum behind him having kickstarted his MMA career with a record of ten victories and no losses.

Although he’s essentially steamrolled every single one of his opponents thus far, Adesanya is confident Burns can spring a major upset and hand the wolf of Russia his first professional defeat.

He said on his YouTube channel: “I know Burns. 

“He don’t play about it. He’s real. He’s really about this life.

“I’m glad that he’s up at welterweight now because he’s a lot better at this weight class.

“But Khamzat on a roll. His last opponent, ‘The Leech’ (Li Jingliang), was the most impressive opponent he’s beat so far.

“Gilbert Burns is good, but he gets hit. Everyone gets hit, and he’s got power in his punches. You know what? I’ll be rooting for Burns. I think he can get it done.”

Burns, 35, is also confident of upsetting the apple cart, telling MMA Junkie: “I think his wrestling is very good.

“His control, his ground-and-pound is good. And the fact that he’s very long helps, too, so he gets good grips, good control, knows where to put the weight. Very technical, hits hard.

“But the opponents didn’t do too well. Those guys don’t know how to get up. The other ones don’t know how to wrestle.

“I don’t even know, I got to look at it to watch it, but his first two UFC opponents, do you know their name? Anyone? No one knows.

“For sure, they’re pretty tough