Tag: leon edwards

Stephen Thompson Eyes Bout With Leon Edwards After Losing His Opponent For March 13

Thompson EdwardsEarlier tonight news broke that breakout star Khamzat Chimaev would be out of his scheduled bout with Leon Edwards for March 13 due to COVID-related issues that had been lingering. During an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC president Dana White broke the news while also sharing that the UFC would be looking to find […]

Thompson Edwards

Earlier tonight news broke that breakout star Khamzat Chimaev would be out of his scheduled bout with Leon Edwards for March 13 due to COVID-related issues that had been lingering.

During an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC president Dana White broke the news while also sharing that the UFC would be looking to find Edwards a new opponent instead of rescheduling this bout for the fourth time.

One top-ranking Welterweight has thrown their name into the conversation and that was the #5 ranked Stephen Thompson who took to Twitter sharing some support for Chimaev’s recovery and offering to step in and face Leon Edwards.

“Hoping for a full recovery for (Khamzat Chimaev)!! Leon Edwards let’s give the fans what they want to see! #3 vs #5! #makessense #Respectfully”

This is not the first time that Thompson has called for a fight with Edwards. After being sidelined for over a year Edwards was looking for an opponent, however, he was only willing to face up the rankings, looking towards the top three guys to position himself as the next title contender.

Thompson at the time was ranked #6 and with a win over Geoff Neal positioned himself solidly in the top five and outside of the three fighters ahead of Thompson, the perfect fight for both athletes to take right now.

There are three other fighters in the top five that could be potential candidates for Edwards and those are Tyron Woodley, who Edwards was scheduled to face previously in March of 2020. Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal who have been heavily rumored to face one another later this year.

Currently, it isn’t clear if either the UFC or Edwards are interested in the fight, however, from the interview with White it appears that the plan is for Edwards to remain on the March 13 card and fill out the main event against another top welterweight.

Khamzat Chimaev Out Of Bout With Leon Edwards Due To COVID-19

Khamzat ChimaevAfter multiple rebooking attempts the highly anticipated matchup of welterweights Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards has once again been canceled due to COVID-related effects plaguing Chimaev. When speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC President Dana White broke the news sharing that the COVID has caused an issue will Chimaev’s lungs that will require him to […]

Khamzat Chimaev

After multiple rebooking attempts the highly anticipated matchup of welterweights Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards has once again been canceled due to COVID-related effects plaguing Chimaev.

When speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC President Dana White broke the news sharing that the COVID has caused an issue will Chimaev’s lungs that will require him to be put on medication.

“There’s something wrong with his lungs they’re putting him on medication again and he’s out of that fight so Shaun is literally in the other room right now working on a fight for Leon Edwards,” White said.

Edwards and Chimaev have been booked to face one another three times, first in December of 2020, secondly in January, however, due to both athletes getting COVID these fell through. After these bookings were postponed White was adamant that the UFC would rebook the matchup, but this time it appears the organization will move on and give Edwards a different opponent.

“I was so excited, that was one of my favorite fights this year,” White said. “The one thing you have to look at right now is health. Let’s make sure this guy is healthy, get him the best care we can, and make sure he makes a full recovery.”

Since entering the organization in July of 2020, Chimaev has been on a rocket to the top fighting twice within 10 days and absorbing only two strikes between both matchups. Following this, Chimaev returned to knock out Gerald Meerchaert with the first punch of their fight later in 2020. after these wins, the UFC was looking to book the unranked Chimaev against the number two ranked Welterweight Edwards, in a fight that would surely be a number one contender bout.

Now for Edwards, it is not clear exactly who the UFC will replace Chimaev with, however, it will likely be a top-five opponent as Edwards attempts to continue his massive unbeaten streak and set himself up for the next title shot following UFC 258.

BREAKING: Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev Canceled for Third Time

Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev has been canceled for a third time. Dana White revealed to ESPN Thursday that Khamzat Chimaev is still suffering from COVID complications and has been forced to withdraw from his March 13 fight against Leon Edwards. Wit…

Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev has been canceled for a third time. Dana White revealed to ESPN Thursday that Khamzat Chimaev is still suffering from COVID complications and has been forced to withdraw from his March 13 fight against Leon Edwards. With this third cancellation, Edwards vs. Chimaev has managed to cover more than half […]

Leon Edwards Says Khamzat Chimaev Is In ‘For A Rude Awakening’ At UFC Vegas 21

Leon Edwards believes Khamzat Chimaev is in for a rude awakening at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. Edwards and Chimaev have been booked two times previously but due to COVID-19 it was postponed. Now, they will finally meet in a very intriguing matchup. It w…

Leon Edwards believes Khamzat Chimaev is in for a rude awakening at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. Edwards and Chimaev have been booked two times previously but due to COVID-19 it was postponed. Now, they will finally meet in a very intriguing matchup. It will no doubt be Chimaev’s toughest test to date, and […]

Leon Edwards Says Khamzat Chimaev Is In ‘For A Rude Awakening’ At UFC Vegas 21

Leon Edwards believes Khamzat Chimaev is in for a rude awakening at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. Edwards and Chimaev have been booked two times previously but due to COVID-19 it was postponed. Now, they will finally meet in a very intriguing matchup. It w…

Leon Edwards believes Khamzat Chimaev is in for a rude awakening at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. Edwards and Chimaev have been booked two times previously but due to COVID-19 it was postponed. Now, they will finally meet in a very intriguing matchup. It will no doubt be Chimaev’s toughest test to date, and […]

Leon Edwards Plans To Finish ‘Deluded’ Khamzat Chimaev

Leon EdwardsWelterweight contender Leon Edwards wants to make a statement at UFC Vegas 21 by finishing Khamzat Chimaev. Edwards is currently riding an impressive eight-fight win streak and in on the verge of a title shot. Unfortunately for ‘Rocky’ his career has stagnated as of late. He was unable to compete in 2020 for various reasons. […]

Leon Edwards

Welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants to make a statement at UFC Vegas 21 by finishing Khamzat Chimaev.

Edwards is currently riding an impressive eight-fight win streak and in on the verge of a title shot. Unfortunately for ‘Rocky’ his career has stagnated as of late. He was unable to compete in 2020 for various reasons. Edwards has not fought inside the Octagon since beating former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos over five rounds in July 2019.

This inactivity did not sit well with the UFC who temporarily removed the #3 welterweight from the rankings before reinstating him once he had accepted a fight with Chimaev who is just three fights into his UFC career.

The British standout previewed his upcoming during an interview with Submission Radio, he said.

“I want to test his grappling, I want to test all of it. I’ve seen his fights, I’ve seen all his wrestling matches and everything, and I want to test it all. His grappling, his striking. Everything. His Jiu Jitsu, his inside fighting. I want to test it all. Let’s see if he can keep up with it.”

“I think the guy’s record of people who he’s fought is like 6-10 or something, all together, all the record that they’ve put together in the UFC,” Edwards added. I’m on an eight-fight win streak alone in the UFC. Opponent-wise, there’s levels. You cannot compare me to no one that he’s fought in his career.”

Chimaev has brashly spoken about easily beating Edwards, who thinks his undefeated Swedish opponent is deluded.

“There’s being confident, then there’s being deluded,” Edwards said. “It’s two different things. I’ve never been deluded. I think he’s deluded. And obviously if everyone blows smoke up your ass, then you’re gonna start believing it. And if that’s all it is and everyone blows smoke up his ass that he’s the best thing since sliced bread, so you’re gonna start believing it. I think that’s all it is.”

Edwards will be looking for the finish at UFC Vegas 21.

“I’m going out there for the finish. I feel like I need to get a finish to prove my case, to make a stronger case for the world title,” Edwards said. “So, I’m going out there for a finish. I’m going out there to test everything that he’s about. So, I’m looking to finish.”

Do you think Leon Edwards will finish Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Vegas 21?