While two titles will be on the line at UFC 273, the fight between Khamzat Chimaev and #2 contender Gilbert Burns has captured the attention of fans on an even greater scale.

Chimaev, is fresh off of a win against the number #11 ranked welterweight, Li Jing Liang in October. A jump from the 11th ranked to 2nd is relatively rare in the UFC, but Chimaev’s dominance thus far has left little debate as to whether he deserves it.

Yet, when asked if Burns was his toughest match up to date, the rising star responded with a simple “I don’t think so.”

Chimaev doesn’t think Burns his toughest opponent of his career so far. Instead, ‘Borz’ offered another name.

“I think one guy I met in BRAVE, Ikram Aliskerov. He has to be in the UFC, that guy is good, I think he won five fights after me and that guy is really good”

Aliskerov fought Chimaev at BRAVE CF 23 back in 2019. Although Chimaev defeated Aliskerov in the first round as he has done to so many, it was one of Chimaev’s more competitive fights while it lasted.

The two engaged largely  in a back and forth wrestling exchange until Chimaev ultimately knocked Aliskerov out later in the round. While Chimaev was slightly off on the number, Aliskerov has strung together four consecutive wins since meeting Chimaev, whose name stands as the sole loss on Aliskerov’s record.

Aliskerov most recently fought under the Eagle FC banner, the organization spearheaded by former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, while Khamzat Chimaev will be taking on Burns this weekend at UFC 273.