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Khamzat Chimaev issues warning to UFC rival Leon Edwards: ‘You know who the real king is’

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has issued a stark warning to division champion, Leon Edwards – claiming he is the actual kingpin of the division. Chimaev, slipped to #4 in the official welterweight pile last week following Belal Muhammad’s decision win over common-foe, Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey. As for Edwards, […]

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has issued a stark warning to division champion, Leon Edwards – claiming he is the actual kingpin of the division.

Chimaev, slipped to #4 in the official welterweight pile last week following Belal Muhammad’s decision win over common-foe, Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey.

As for Edwards, the Birmingham native most recently headlined UFC 286 back in March of this year in his native England, wrapping up his first title defense with a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman in the pair’s championship trilogy rubber match.

Expected to make his Octagon return later this year, Chimaev claimed that the UFC had yet to offer him a concrete fight offer, despite links to a return at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – in a pairing opposite one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa.

Also expected to make a middleweight division move following a September weight issue ahead of a UFC 279 headliner with Nate Diaz, as per the afore-noted, White, Chechen-born contender, Khamzat Chimaev insisted that he would decide his fighting future and weight to boot.

Sidelined since September of last year, Chimaev, who missed weight by seven-and-a-half pounds for his slated UFC 279 headliner with Diaz, was eventually pulled from the slot, in favor of a co-main event catchweight clash against Kevin Holland, improving to 12-0 with an opening round D’Arce choke submission win.

Khamzat Chimaev takes aim at UFC welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards

And ahead of his expected comeback clash later this year, Chimaev has issued a notable warning to Edwards – whom he was scheduled to fight on no less than three separate occasions prior to the latter’s championship coronation.

“You know who is the king,” Khamzat Chimaev tweeted in response to Leon Edwards, who described the welterweight division as “light work” and claimed he was unmoved by who he could possibly fight next.

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning to UFC rival Leon Edwards: ‘You know who the real king is’

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has issued a stark warning to division champion, Leon Edwards – claiming he is the actual kingpin of the division.

Chimaev, slipped to #4 in the official welterweight pile last week following Belal Muhammad’s decision win over common-foe, Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey.

Khamzat Chimaev takes aim at UFC welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards

Exclusive – Colby Covington rips Leon Edwards for rejecting London title fight in July: ‘It’s disgusting’

Former interim UFC welterweight champion, Colby Covington has hit out at upcoming opponent, current undisputed champion, Leon Edwards for rejecting the opportunity to defend his title on home soil in the UK later this summer, branding the Birmingham native “disgusting” for rejecting a homecoming. Covington, the current #2 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since […]

Covington, the current #2 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since headlining UFC 272 back in March of last year in a grudge match against Jorge Masvidal, defeating the Miami veteran in a one-sided unanimous decision victory.

Expected to return to the Octagon later this year in an undisputed welterweight title fight against champion, Edwards,Covington was initially lined up a for a July bout with the defending gold holder, however, the champion confirmed he would rather fight in October toward the end of this year instead.

Colby Covington takes aim at arch-rival Leon Edwards ahead of title clash

With the earmarked UFC 291 pay-per-view event now altered to a UFC Fight Night London billed card, Covington has labelled Edwards “disgusting” for taking another title fight headliner away from the UK contingent.

“That’s disgusting,” Colby Covington told LowKick MMA reporter, James Lynch in regards to Leon Edwards’ refusal to fight in London in July. “Those people, those fans over there in London – the most passionate, most diehard fans I’ve ever seen in my life, man. I respect those guys, have so much love for the UK and London. Man, those people are amazing.”

“The fact that Leon rejected a home date over there, and he thinks, ‘Oh, they’re not worthy of a pay-per-view, let them get a Fight Night.’” Oh, Leon, you think your people aren’t worthy of a f*cking main event, world championship, undisputed welterweight world title fight? You want them to have a Fight Night instead?” Colby Covington explained.

“Just the disrespect he has towards his own people, James, is disgusting. It would be like me turning down a home date in Maralago, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m not gonna be able to fight there.’ And I’m gonna have to call my friend Donald Trump and be like, ‘Yeah, Donald, I’m not gonna be able to fight on this home date and defend the land.’”

Off the back of UFC 288 last weekend, in which Belal Muhammad lodged a one-sided unanimous decision win over Gilbert Burns, the above-mentioned, Edwards stressed that the entirity of the welterweight ranks presented “light work” to him.

Leon Edwards welcomes all challengers following UFC 288: ‘I don’t care who I fight, this division is light work’

A keen observer at UFC 288 last night, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards reveals he is ready to take on all comers to his crown – as he awaits a grudge match with Colby Covington, and potential rematch with event co-headliner, Belal Muhammad. Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion under the promotion’s banner, managed to […]

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion under the promotion’s banner, managed to successfully defend his division title for the first time in March in the main event of UFC 286 on home soil, defeating three-time foe, Kamaru Usman in their championship trilogy rubber match.

Expected to draw former interim division gold holder, Colby Covington off the back of his London homecoming win against Usman, Edwards has yet to officially book a fight with the outspoken Clovis native, as he prefers an October return at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Last night, however, surging contender, Belal Muhammad punched his ticket for a welterweight title tilt for the first time in his Octagon tenure, turning in a dominant unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) win over an injury-ridden, Gilbert Burns.

Leon Edwards mocks welterweight competition ahead of UFC return

Facing Muhammad previously in a 2021 official ‘No Contest’, Edwards claimed the welterweight division was “light work” for him following the culmination of UFC 288 last night in Newark, New Jersey.

“Honestly I don’t care who I fight next,” Leon Edwards tweeted. “This whole division is light work #KingLeon.”

Honestly I don’t care who I fight next. This whole division is light work #KingLeon

— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) May 7, 2023

Rejecting the opportunity to headline a targeted pay-per-view event return to the UK for the UFC in July this summer, Edwards revealed he had yet to receive an official bout agreement to fight Colby Covington – who most recently turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over arch-rival, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year UFC 272.

Sean Strickland touts ability to win UFC title against Leon Edwards: ‘I legitimately think I could win the belt’

Sean Strickland may be a middleweight contender at the moment, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t win a 170lb title if he wanted, according to him. Bouncing back against Nadim Imarov most recently, Strickland had hit a rough patch in form, losing to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier back-to-back. Previous to this, Strickland was on […]

Sean Strickland may be a middleweight contender at the moment, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t win a 170lb title if he wanted, according to him.

Bouncing back against Nadim Imarov most recently, Strickland had hit a rough patch in form, losing to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier back-to-back. Previous to this, Strickland was on a 6-fight win streak at 185 lbs and was undefeated in the division. He did, however, have a less memorable run at 170lbs, complete with a ponytail and trimmed-down physique.

6-3 in the welterweight division, Sean Strickland lost to the likes of Kamaru Usman and Santiago Ponzinibio before making the jump up. He likes to think though, that should he return to the division, he would be king.

So what’s stopping him?

His love of being fat.

Sean Strickland talks welterweight

Sean Strickland warns Israel Adesanya of Alex Pereira don't let that motherf*cker touch you — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“If I went back down to welterweight, I legitimately think that I could win the belt. I’m not fighting guys that are six (foot) eight. But, at welterweight, I hate f*cking life,” Strickland said. “I’m a miserable motherf*cker. At middleweight, I’m fat, I’m happy. I had a f*cking cheeseburger for breakfast you guys, I’m a happy motherf*cker.”

Instead of the 170lb move, it seems far more likely that Sean Strickland may headline an event as a 205lb fighter if his Twitter is anything to go by.

No one at middleweight to fight.. or at least not for 6 months. Plenty of guys at 205 https://t.co/SCOHnBlKb9

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 31, 2023

With Strickland being so active, he is quickly running out of fresh challenges at middleweight. Other than champion Israel Adesanya, nothing else seems overly appealing to the Las Vegas resident at 185 lbs. Known as being forever game for a scrap, regardless of opponent, it would be no surprise to see him duking it out at light-heavyweight in the near future.

Who would you want to see Sean Strickland fight first at light-heavyweight?

(Quote Originally transcribed by MMANews.com)

Stephen Thompson eyes UFC title run, win over Leon Edwards: ‘I could be there too’

Veteran former welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson claims he has received inspiration from the championship reign of division gold holder, Leon Edwards – insisting he could eventually land a title himself. Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return at UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week against […]

Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return at UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week against dynamic Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira.

Last time out, the Simpsonville striker headlined UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December of last year against recent winner, Kevin Holland – securing an eventual fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO win over the Riverside striker.

The win propelled Thompson back to the winner’s enclosure, following back-to-back decision losses against both Gilbert Burns, and Belal Muhammad.

Stephen Thompson eyes one more UFC title run

Competing twice for undisputed welterweight gold in losing efforts against then-champion, Tyron Woodley back in 2016, and 2017, Thompson admitted Birmingham native, Edwards’ title victory has inspired him to make a run for the welterweight crown again.

“It actually gives me inspiration,” Stephen Thompson told MMA Junkie of Leon Edwards’ title success. “With Leon (Edwards) being predominantly a striker and being a champ right now. It’s awesome. His takedown defense is really good; his takedowns are good – but he’s predominantly known as a striker. It does give me inspiration knowing that he’s the champ, that I could be there too.”

“After those last two losses, I’m gonna have to do some work in order to get back to fighting to somebody higher than me,” Stephen Thompson explained. “I think a good win over Kevin (Holland) and a good win over Michel Pereira, the next fight after that I could definitely be fighting somebody in the top five. And that’s the goal, to go for that title run again, and I still feel I have the ability and youthfulness to do so.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

As for Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion has turned down the possibility of returning at a UFC London event in July, preferring the opportunity to sit out until an expected UFC 294 card in October on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE.