Belal Muhammad has filled in for Khamzat Chimaev to fight Leon Edwards in the UFC Vegas 21 main event.
Just five days after his recent win, Belal Muhammad has stepped up to fight Leon Edwards at UFC Vegas 21 after Khamzat Chimaev was forced to withdraw with “lingering COVID-19 symptoms”.
After the original main event between Edwards and Chiamev was again scratched, it was revealed the UFC flew Chimaev to receive medical care in the U.S.
The breakout star Chimaev first caught coronavirus in December, forcing him off the second booking of the fight last month. Edwards also caught the virus in November which led to the first booking being cancelled.
Muhammad (18-3) faces a quick turnaround against Edwards after winning a decision against Dhiego Lima last weekend at UFC 258. The initial booking between the two in December was rescheduled after Muhammad caught COVID-19. Muhammad has only lost once in his last nine UFC appearances and currently sits at #13 in the welterweight rankings.
Edwards (18-3) is undefeated in his last eight UFC fights. The Brit hasn’t fought in almost two years, struggling to find an opponent at 170-pounds since defeating Rafael Dos Anjos in July 2019. His main event vs. Tyron Woodley last March was cancelled at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad takes place on Mar. 13th at the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas.