Khamzat Chimaev has pulled out of the UFC Fight Island 8 main event vs Leon Edwards for unknown reasons. (GETTY Images)
Khamzat Chimaev has a new opponent in mind for his next fight – Leon Edwards
Leading up to UFC 273 UFC president Dana White had suggested that the welterweight bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns will determine the next title contender at 170 lbs. However during UFC London, White had pledged that Leon Edwards is the next in line for the title, and the UFC head honcho has other plans for Chimaev should he win at UFC 273.
Usman has been sidelined with a hand injury, and although he has had a successful surgery, it will be almost a year before he returns to full action. This opens up the idea for a welterweight championship which Dana White and team will definitely want to explore.
Usman had spoken about the idea of a fight with Khamzat Chimaev earlier this month. When asked about his manager Ali Abdel Aziz’s claim that now was the perfect time to fight Chimaev, Usman said,‘ I mean. He’s gone out there, he’s beat the No.2 guy in the division. He got the W, so it’s very difficult to say that no he’s not fight anybody, because he has. He’s gone up against Gilbert Burns and he was able to do what he did. So I take nothing away from it. So if that’s the fight, then that’s the fight’
But Chimaev wants to get back in action immediately and posted a tweet calling out Leon. He wrote, ‘Let’s fight 👊🏼💥@Leon_edwardsmma’
Even though the UFC welterweight division remains the most exciting division in the UFC today, the champion Kamaru Usman sits comfortably on top having wiped out all the competition presented in front of him. Fresh young prospects are breaking their way into the top, while Usman has been sidelined for some time due to a hand injury.
It was confirmed by UFC President Dana White during UFC London that Leon Edwards is next for the title shot, and it’s just a matter of time before the dates are finalized when Usman returns.
Kamaru Usman had a successful surgery and has been working towards returning to full action as soon as possible. While some believe that there is hardly any threat that Leon poses, others have sort of acknowledged his well-rounded game. Edwards is also a tall southpaw who switches stances effortlessly, something that will come in handy when facing Usman.
Brazilian welterweight fighter Gilbert Burns who has previously faced Usman, weighed in on the idea of this fight saying that Edwards has the best chance at beating Usman.
“I’m telling you right now, Leon Edwards is very underrated,” Burns told Food Truck Diaries (h/t MMA Junkie). “That guy is very good. Just think about it: a striker, long and a southpaw. That’s already tough, and that guy has a great team.
“I know Kamaru pretty well, but that fight is gonna be close,” he continued. “That fight is gonna be close, and I think if you got these three guys, me in my opinion, Colby [Covington], Khamzat [Chimaev], and Leon, Leon has the best chance to beat Usman.”
“Very long. These other guys are wrestlers. They can strike, don’t get me wrong. Both guys (Covington, and Chimaev) can strike, but they are wrestlers. That guy (Edwards) is a striker.
“I think out of these three guys, Leon has more chance to beat Kamaru, and I think that fight is gonna be close,” he concluded. “Kamaru is very smart. He’s been there a couple of times. I think he’s gonna take the fight very serious, but if he doesn’t, it’s a mistake. It’s a rematch, now fighting for the title. That guy’s been waiting for the opportunity.”
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