Gilbert Burns is set to take on Khamzat Chimaev in a very exciting matchup at UFC 273. The bout is expected to help determine if Chimaev is at the top level and could fight Kamaru Usman for the welterweight.

Gilbert Burns is aware of the hype involved with Khamzat Chimaev but he's not sure if it's justified. UFC 273 will provide the opportunity to determine just how skilled the Swedish welterweight prospect is.

“It’s a lot of hype, but if it’s justified, I don’t know,” said Burns of his upcoming opponent to Fighter’s Only.

“But I do know he’s a very tough opponent and I gotta respect his abilities. But we’ll test (him). He’s gonna be a good test for me. He’s super confident, undefeated, looks like a very big guy (and) has a very hard weight cut. But I’m looking forward to it.

“I think he’s very, very tough. But I do believe I’m going to get the win, so I’m very confident. I think he’s a little bit overconfident. But, you know, I have a lot of experience being in this game, fighting the best guys in the world. So for me, it’s going to be another big fight. Nothing more than that.”

Some are expecting the fight to go into deep waters but Gilbert Burns is expecting Khamzat Chimaev to try and get things done quickly at UFC 273. So far, all of Chimaev's fights are ending before the final bell and in a dominant fashion.

“I do think he gonna try to get it done quick,” Burns predicted. “I think he’s gonna come very strong in the first round, maybe with a little bit more striking because I’m not a striker. I can strike, but I’m not a striker, I’m a natural grappler.

“I do think he’s gonna try to be a little bit more of a striker but who knows? That’s what I think, but I’ll be ready with the wrestling, with the grappling, with the striking. I do think he’s going to strike a little bit more, that’s the feeling that I have. But, you know, one good punch might change that and he goes back to wrestling, so we’ll see.”