Khamzat Chimaev is the REAL DEAL
INSANE.
#UFCVegas11 pic.twitter.com/kqbhHJYJS3— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA)
September 20, 2020
Khamzat
Chimaev will have to wait to build upon his breakout campaign
on 2020.
Chimaev has been forced out of a welterweight headlining matchup
with Leon
Edwards at
UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20. Multiple outlets confirmed the news
on Tuesday following an initial report from
Frontkick. A reason for Chimaev’s exit is currently
unknown.
Chimaev and Edwards were initially slated to meet at UFC Fight
Night 183 before the Englishman
withdrew from the contest due to a severe bout with COVID-19
that saw him lose 12 pounds.
UFC on ESPN 20 takes place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and also
includes a 170-pound clash between Michael
Chiesa and Neil Magny.
It is unclear if Edwards will remain on the card against a
replacement opponent.
Chimaev emerged as one of the rising stars of the sport after
compiling a 3-0 campaign this past year. The Allstars Training
Center representative turned heads with finishes of John
Phillips and Rhys McKee
within a 10-day span in July, and he returned to action at UFC
Fight Night 178 on Sept. 19, when he knocked out Gerald
Meerschaert in 17 seconds. “Borz” is 9-0 as a professional,
with all of his victories coming inside the distance.
Edwards has not competed since July 2019, when he outpointed
Rafael dos
Anjos in the UFC on ESPN 4 headliner. “Rocky” was slated to
meet Tyron
Woodley on March 21 in London before that event was canceled
due to the pandemic. Edwards has been victorious in his last eight
Octagon appearances.