Historic Showdown: Chimaev Returns to Face Ex-BJJ Champion Burns in Miami

Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns face off this Friday, September 18, at the Watsoc Center in Miami in a historic wrestling duel. Chimaev, the 2025 UFC middleweight champion, dominates from the start with a double leg and an 11-2 lead in under two minutes, confirming his physical power.

To remember:

Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns face off in wrestling on September 18 in Miami.
Chimaev, the 2025 UFC middleweight champion, returns to his roots after two victories in RAF.
Burns, a former UFC challenger and BJJ world champion, competes in his first wrestling match after retiring from MMA.
From the start, Chimaev dominates with a double leg and an 11-2 lead in under two minutes.

A Clash Between Two Combat Legends

This Friday, September 18, the Watsoc Center in Miami hosts a historic duel between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns. Two athletes with exceptional careers face off in wrestling, a sport where Chimaev excelled before shining in MMA. The 2025 UFC middleweight champion returns to his roots after two victories in RAF against Dillon Danis and Tyron Woodley. Meanwhile, Burns, a former UFC title challenger and BJJ world champion, makes his wrestling debut following his MMA retirement.

Explosive First Round: Chimaev Asserts Dominance

From the opening bell, Chimaev imposes his physical power. With a double leg in the first seconds, he pushes Burns out of the circle to open the scoring. Solid defense and a back take allow him to chain moves, extending his lead to 11-2 in under two minutes. Burns responds with a spectacular double leg, but the gap remains significant. This start to the match confirms Chimaev’s technical and physical superiority, as he is accustomed to dominating opponents from the very first seconds.

A Duel with Symbolic Stakes

This fight carries a special significance, as it pits two grappling legends against each other. Chimaev, undefeated in wrestling before transitioning to MMA, boasts an impressive resume with three Swedish national titles. Burns, on the other hand, made history in Brazilian jiu-jitsu before excelling in the UFC. Their 2022 rivalry, decided by a close decision, remains etched in memory. This return to wrestling promises a spectacle worthy of their reputations.

This duel between Chimaev and Burns is shaping up to be a highlight of the evening. Between Chimaev’s return to his roots and Burns’ first wrestling experience, the stakes go beyond mere sports. Fight fans can expect an intense spectacle, where technique and power will clash once again.

Editor's Opinion

By Nakmen

Ah, this duel between two titans who’ve shaken the mats—it’s a bit like Batman vs. Catwoman, but with more muscle and back takes that hurt. Chimaev, the Swedish colossus, crushed Burns from the first seconds with his titanic power and a double leg that would’ve made even an OSS117 agent jealous. Burns, despite his legendary BJJ, struggled to keep up, as if Jurassic Park had met a T-Rex in "beginner wrestling" mode. The symbolic angle is great: two legends reinventing themselves after blazing careers. Too bad Burns couldn’t make a more spectacular entrance, but hey, even heroes have their limits. Stay tuned to see if Chimaev keeps his grappling king title… or if Burns gifts him a little revenge present.

Article written by SkimAI
Reviewed and completed by Nakmen