Tag: leon edwards

It won’t be long until we see Leon Edwards take on Khamzat Chimaev.

The pair were originally scheduled to face each other in a highly-anticipated welterweight headliner at UFC Vegas 17 on December 19. However, the fight was called off after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.

Luckily, the fight won’t be postponed for long as UFC president Dana White plans on having it headline a Wednesday card taking place on Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island on January 20. That’s according to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter.

“Just finished up an interview with Dana White who tells me that the plan is to have Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev headline the Wednesday, January 20th card, which is targeted to take place in Abu Dhabi.”

Just finished up an interview with Dana White who tells me that the plan is to have Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev headline the Wednesday, January 20th card, which is targeted to take place in Abu Dhabi.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 10, 2020

Interestingly, that event takes place three days before UFC 257 on January 23 which is headlined by the return of Conor McGregor as he meets Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout. The location isn’t officially announced but it is also expected to take place on Fight Island.

Chimaev and McGregor have gone at it on social media already and there’s now a chance of them crossing paths next month. Add in the fact that Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly going to be in attendance for UFC 257 as well and we could be in store for some fireworks.

What do you think of Edwards vs. Chimaev headlining a Wednesday card just a few days before UFC 257?

Top UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has released a statement after it was confirmed he has been forced to withdraw from his eagerly anticipated fight against Khamzat Chiamev.

‘Rocky’ was set to return to the Octagon for the first time in almost 18 months on December 19 to face popular prospect Chimaev. Unfortunately, a positive test for COVID-19 derailed Edwards plans who is now set to complete 2020 without fighting.

The Birmingham, England native took to social media to react to the news, he wrote.

“Another setback, but when you come from the mud you learn to put everything in perspective. This virus has affected many lives and families much worse than mine. Looking forward to getting this rebooked soon, thank you all for the well wishes.”

Another setback, but when you come from the mud you learn to put everything in perspective. This virus has affected many lives and families much worse than mine. Looking forward to getting this rebooked soon, thank you all for the well wishes

— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) December 2, 2020

Chimaev was quick to wish his opponent well ahead of the pairs bout which is expected to be re-scheduled for January on ‘Fight Island’ – the undefeated Russian will no longer compete on December 19.

Fast recovery and hope see you soon. @Leon_edwardsmma,” Chimaev wrote on Twitter.

Fast recovery and hope see you soon. @Leon_edwardsmma https://t.co/ypLXg2qyKk

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 2, 2020

Another welterweight bout between Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Geoff Neal has now been bumped up to the UFC Vegas 17 main event – check out the full fight card below.

UFC Vegas 17 – Full Fight Card

Geoff Neal vs. Stephen Thompson

Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono

Greg Hardy vs. Marcin Tybura

Rob Font vs. Marlon Moraes

Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann

Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera

Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams

Manel Kape vs. Alexandre Pantoja

Belal Muhammad vs. Dhiego Lima

Antonio Arroyo vs. Deron Winn

Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad

Drako Rodriguez vs. Aiemann Zahabi

Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett

Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus

Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell

Do you think Leon Edwards will bounce back from COVID-19 by beating the highly fancied prospect  Khamzat Chimaev in 2021?

The welterweight headliner between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev will no longer be taking place.

The pair were set to collide in the main event of UFC Vegas 17 on December 19. However, as per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Edwards recently tested positive for COVID-19 which means the fight has now been canceled.

The UFC will attempt to rebook the fight in early 2021.

“Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev isn’t happening on Dec. 19, per sources. Unfortunately, Edwards recently tested positive for COVID. UFC is hoping to re-book the fight in early 2021, sources say.”

Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev isn’t happening on Dec. 19, per sources. Unfortunately, Edwards recently tested positive for COVID.

UFC is hoping to re-book the fight in early 2021, sources say.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 1, 2020

Recent reports actually stated that Chimaev had tested positive for COVID-19 putting the fight in jeopardy. However, this was denied by Chimaev’s team as well as his training partner.

In a cruel twist of fate, it was his opponent in Edwards who ended up testing positive for COVID-19 which led to the fight being off.

“Per sources, Leon Edwards’ (@Leon_edwardsmma) case of Covid-19 was pretty severe. He couldn’t train at all, and he lost 12 pounds in four days. He’s in the process of recovering at home. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery.”

Per sources, Leon Edwards' (@Leon_edwardsmma) case of Covid-19 was pretty severe. He couldn't train at all, and he lost 12 pounds in four days. He's in the process of recovering at home. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 1, 2020

The good news, however, is that UFC Vegas 17 is a stacked card and won’t suffer too much.

According to Helwani, the UFC is considering bumping up the welterweight co-main event between former title challenger Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal to the main event.

With other intriguing fights such as Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font and Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera on the card, the UFC’s final event of the year still promises to be a can’t-miss event.

What do you make of this news?