Khamzat Chimaev withdraws from Leon Edwards bout
The UFC saga of Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards has seemingly hit the pause button for the indefinite future.
Per UFC president Dana White, Chimaev is still suffering from the effects of contracting COVID-19 and has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled March 13th main event against Edwards.
With Chimaev set to be put on medication for an issue with his lungs, this marks the third time the fight has fallen through due to COVID-19.
“I’m so bummed out. I was so excited. That was one of my favourite fights this year,” White told ESPN. “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.”
As a result of Chimaev being sidelined, White would go on to tell ESPN that the promotion will have to move on from the matchup and Edwards is now expected to face a different opponent and potentially move to a new date.
“[Matchmaker Sean Shelby] is literally in the other room right now working on a new fight for Leon Edwards,” White said.