Leon Edwards names three potential opponents after Khamzat Chimaev fight falls apart again
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards named three potential opponents after seeing his fight with Khamzat Chimaev fall apart yet again.
On Thursday, it was revealed that Chimaev has complications from COVID-19 and he will not be able to fight Edwards on March 13. The UFC is now looking to secure a replacement opponent for Edwards. It’s beginning to feel like the Edwards vs. Chimaev matchup is ‘cursed’ just like Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson, a fight the UFC tried to book five times, with it falling apart every time. In the case of Edwards vs. Chimaev, this is the third time the promotion has booked the fight, following previous bookings in December and January. Unfortunately, this fight just can’t come together for whatever reason.
Following the news that Chimaev is out of the fight again, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reached out to Edwards’ manager Tim Simpson to discuss potential opponents for the Brit. According to Simpson, Edwards wants to fight on March 13. The team was open to fighting veteran Stephen Thompson, but he’s apparently injured. Instead, Team Edwards is now looking at three other potential opponents including Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Nate Diaz.
Leon Edwards is very adamant on staying on the March 13 card, per his manager Tim Simpson. He doesn’t want to delay his return any longer.
As a result, Wonderboy isn’t an option because his hands are still injured from the Neal fight and he’ll only be able to return in May/June.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 12, 2021
Per Simpson, Edwards wants Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington … or Nathan Diaz on March 13.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 12, 2021
Ariel Helwani: Leon Edwards is very adamant on staying on the March 13 card, per his manager Tim Simpson. He doesn’t want to delay his return any longer. As a result, Wonderboy isn’t an option because his hands are still injured from the Neal fight and he’ll only be able to return in May/June. Per Simpson, Edwards wants Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington … or Nathan Diaz on March 13.
Edwards (18-3) has not fought since a unanimous decision victory over Rafael dos Anjos in July 2019. The 29-year-old “Rocky” is 10-2 overall in the UFC. He is currently riding an eight-fight win streak and is ranked No. 3 overall in the UFC welterweight rankings. While it’s unfortunate the Chimaev fight has fallen off for the third time, the hope is that another big-name welterweight will step up to fight Edwards now.
Who do you want to see Leon Edwards fight next?
