Leon Edwards weighs in for his fight again Rafael dos Anjos in July 2019. Image Credit: Getty Images
Leon Edwards wants title shot with win over Khamzat Chimaev
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants a title shot at 170lbs if he defeats rising star Khamzat Chimaev when they meet next month.
Edwards takes on Chimaev on March 13 in a five-round welterweight bout that headlines a UFC Fight Night card. The UFC has tried to book this fight for several months now, first in December and then in January, but both men tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight had to be delayed. MMA fans are now collectively crossing their fingers and hoping that both men are able to make it to the fight next month as Edwards vs. Chimaev is a tremendous welterweight matchup with very real title implications.
With UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns taking place this weekend at UFC 258, the timing is right that the winner of Edwards vs. Chimaev could be next in line for the belt. Especially in the case of Edwards, who has a 10-2 record in the UFC and an eight-fight win streak right now, this is the win he needs to finally get that elusive UFC title shot. Speaking to Fanatics View’s James Lynch, Edwards said that he wants the next welterweight title shot with a win over Chimaev. Nothing else makes sense.
"100%, what else would it be?"👊
Leon Edwards @Leon_edwardsmma confident he'll earn a welterweight title shot with a win over Khamzat Chimaev at #UFCVegas21 on Mar. 13
Full interview via @fanaticsview 🎙️https://t.co/jLipWQEupD pic.twitter.com/SptsCfUaJx
— James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) February 11, 2021
“100%, I feel so. Like what’s next, what else could it be? The guy that’s fighting for the championship (Burns) is only because I got COVID-19. The only reason why he’s in the position and now me is because of COVID-19. If it weren’t for COVID-19, I would have been in that title picture a long time ago. After I go in there and do what I do to this kid, I should be next, so we’ll see,” Edwards said.
Should Edwards get by Chimaev for his ninth straight win, it would be very hard for the UFC to deny him a title shot. Then again, with other contenders such as Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal also looking to earn title shots, Edwards is going to need to go in there and put on an impressive showing against Chimaev. Getting the win is the most important thing, but if Edwards wants to make sure that he doesn’t get snubbed from the title picture again, then a finish over Chimaev on March 20 might be just what he needs.
Do you think Leon Edwards will be next in line to fight for the UFC welterweight title if he beats Khamzat Chimaev?
