The landscape of UFC is ever-shifting. Fighters rise, fall, and sometimes, a shadow of fear looms around certain contenders. Back in 2020, Khamzat Chimaev was that shadow. An undefeated force, he was avoided by many, until a former champion dared to step up. This is the story of a fight that never was, a trilogy of cancellations, and the fear that Chimaev instilled in potential opponents.
This article explores the circumstances surrounding Khamzat Chimaev’s rise in the UFC, the reluctance of fighters to face him, and the eventual booking—and repeated cancellation—of a fight against Leon Edwards. We’ll delve into Edwards’ perspective, his motivations for accepting the fight, and the unfortunate events that prevented it from happening.
Ultimately, this is a tale of risk, reward, and the unpredictable nature of combat sports.
The Rise of Khamzat Chimaev and the Reluctance of Opponents
In the ever-volatile world of UFC, few names evoke a reaction quite like Khamzat Chimaev. Bursting onto the scene with a series of dominant victories, Chimaev quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His relentless pressure, coupled with his exceptional wrestling and striking abilities, made him a daunting prospect for anyone in the welterweight division.
However, this meteoric rise also came with a significant side effect: fear. As Chimaev racked up wins, potential opponents became increasingly hesitant to face him. The risk of suffering a potentially career-altering loss to the undefeated Chechen fighter outweighed the potential reward for many. This reluctance created a unique challenge for Chimaev, who struggled to find willing adversaries despite his undeniable talent.
The Chechen fighter is taking on , battling for the UFC Middleweight title for the first time in his career.
has positioned himself as a top star in the promotion, with fighters queuing up to try to end his undefeated streak on .
Once upon a time, the fighter struggled for opponents before a fight against a former world champion was cancelled three times in devastating fashion.
Leon Edwards Steps Up When Others Hesitated
Amidst the sea of fighters unwilling to face Khamzat Chimaev, one man stood tall: Leon Edwards. A seasoned veteran of the UFC’s welterweight division, Edwards had long been considered a top contender, but he had yet to receive a coveted title shot. Seeing an opportunity to catapult himself into the title picture, Edwards accepted the challenge to face Chimaev in December 2020.
Edwards’ decision was not without its detractors. Many questioned the wisdom of facing such a dangerous and relatively unknown opponent. However, Edwards saw something that others didn’t: a chance to prove himself against a fighter who was being touted as the next big thing. As Edwards said on The Joe Rogan Experience, “This was a kid they don’t know – they’re building him up as this kid that can’t be beaten, he’s tough. And so I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll go out there, I’ll fight him.
In 2020, was looking to force his way into contention for the UFC Welterweight title and identified Chimaev as the way to do it.
Chimaev had won his first three UFC bouts, having knocked out Gerald Meerschaert before booking a December 2020 clash with the #3 ranked Welterweight.
That fight was Edwards throwing out a lifeline to “Borgz”, as he admitted on The Joe Rogan Experience that nobody wanted to fight Chimaev at that time, being scared he’d knock them out to continue his undefeated streak.
The Doomed Trilogy: A Fight Canceled Three Times
Unfortunately, the highly anticipated fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards never came to fruition. The bout was initially scheduled for December 19, 2020, but was canceled when Edwards tested positive for COVID-19. The fight was then rescheduled for January 20, 2021, but was once again canceled when Chimaev also tested positive for COVID-19.
A third attempt was made to book the fight for March 13, 2021. However, this attempt also failed, as Chimaev was still recovering from the effects of COVID-19 and was deemed unable to compete. After three failed attempts, the fight was officially called off, leaving fans and fighters alike disappointed.
The original December 19 bout was cancelled because Edwards tested positive for COVID, which, in the middle of the pandemic, meant that he could be nowhere near the octagon.
It was rescheduled for the beginning of January, but it turned out that rumours of Chimaev also testing positive for COVID were true.
The undefeated Chechen was still recovering and had spent time in the hospital due to the illness, so the fight was rescheduled for March 13, 2021, in an attempt to get this doomed match on the card.
The Aftermath and What Could Have Been
The cancellation of the Chimaev vs. Edwards fight had significant implications for both fighters. Edwards was left without a high-profile opponent and was forced to take on Belal Muhammad in his next fight. That fight ended in a no-contest after Muhammad suffered an accidental eye poke. Edwards then went on an impressive win streak that led him to a title shot against Kamaru Usman, which he won in stunning fashion.
Chimaev, on the other hand, faced a prolonged period of inactivity as he struggled to recover from the effects of COVID-19. He eventually returned to the octagon and has continued his winning ways, establishing himself as one of the top contenders in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
However, it’s impossible not to wonder what might have happened if the fight between Chimaev and Edwards had actually taken place. Would Edwards have been able to derail Chimaev’s hype train and secure a title shot sooner? Or would Chimaev have continued his dominant run and potentially become a champion even earlier in his career?
stepped in to replace him, fighting to a no-contest after Edwards hit him with an accidental eye poke, and the fight between Edwards and Chimaev fizzled out and never actually happened.
Key Takeaways on the Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards Fight
The story of Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards’ doomed trilogy is a fascinating one, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties of the fight game. It underscores the fear that certain fighters can instill in their opponents, the courage it takes to step up to a challenge, and the unpredictable nature of events that can derail even the best-laid plans.
While we’ll never know for sure what would have happened if Chimaev and Edwards had fought, their story serves as a reminder that in the world of UFC, anything is possible, and the path to success is rarely a straight line.
Ultimately, both fighters have achieved significant success in their careers, proving that setbacks and cancellations are merely bumps in the road on the journey to greatness. Their story will continue to be a topic of discussion among fight fans for years to come.
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