World no-gi champ Herbert Burns promises “a war” vs. undefeated Russian

Burns will take on Movlid Khaibulaev Feb. 10 at One Championship

[Based on a press release.]

After one year away from the cage, Herbert Burns will be back this February at One Championship. The event will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 10th. Burns will go head to head with Movlid Khaibulaev, who, like the Brazilian, is undefeated in MMA.

Burns talks respectfully of Khaibulaev, whom he deems well rounded:

I’ve never had an easy time at One and I did not expect any different. He’s coming to show what he can do, but he will be facing a guy who’s already consolidated in the organization. So it will be a war! I’ve trained a lot, I’m always evolving, and I will come out of this fight victorious.

Burns spent time in Thailand sharpening his Muay Thai.

Burns used his time away to perfect his game. Following a season in Thailand, he trained in Miami with his brother Gilbert Durinho and Blackzillians coach Henri Hooft, and then continued the work in his hometown of Niteroi.

Herbert with Emerson Falcão and Thales Leites. Instagram

Although he has been working hard on his striking — including training with Emerson Falcão, José Aldo’s Muay Thai coach, and having UFC athlete Thales Leites as a sparring partner, — we should expect to see Burns attempt to make his seventh MMA bout his fifth win by submission.

BJJ is my forte. Whenever I have a chance, I will take down and use my BJJ. It is what I have been managing to do throughout my MMA career. But without exposing myself. I have improved a lot in my striking — I feel confident to trade blows with anyone standing, — but BJJ is my chief weapon. I’m sure I’ll have an ample advantage on the ground, but, in MMA, it’s the smarter guy who wins — not the braver one.