Leon Edwards News
Kamaru Usman responds to Colby Covington’s rematch aspirations, rips ‘Chaos’ for avoiding Leon Edwards fight
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has called out Colby Covington for avoiding a potential fight against Leon Edwards. Usman and Covington went to war back at UFC 245 in December 2019 with “The Nigerian Nightmare” successfully retaining his Welterweight Championship via TKO. Since then he’s also beaten Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns, whereas “Chaos” returned to action with a win over long-time rival Tyron Woodley.
Leon Edwards opens as big favorite open Belal Muhammad
Adam Martin - February 18, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards opened up as a big betting favorite to defeat Belal Muhammad when the two clash on March 13. The No. 13 ranked welterweight Muhammad is filling in on short notice for No. 14 ranked Khamzat Chimaev, who was forced out of his March 13 main event with Edwards due to COVID-19 related issues. The UFC was hoping to book No. 3 Edwards against No. 2 Colby Covington in a No. 1 contender fight, but Covington passed on taking the matchup with Edwards. Though Edwards was hoping to land a top-five opponent, there wasn’t anyone else available for him to fight on short notice that was ranked that highly. Looking up and down the rankings, the one fighter who was available to fight in March was Muhammad.
Leon Edwards gets new opponent for March 13, will now meet Belal Muhammad in five-round main event
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021
Leon Edwards has accepted a new opponent for March 13. According to ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto, the long-absent welterweight star will now take on Belal Muhammad. Five days removed from a win last weekend, Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) has agreed to replace Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round main event against Leon Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) on March 13 per sources … And if Edwards wins this, it’s gotta be a title shot next, right? Gotta be. pic.twitter.com/tFM7KdhdAQ
Gilbert Burns believes there are two opponents who could get him right back to a title shot
Harry Kettle - February 18, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has listed two potential opponents who could get him right back to a shot at the title. Burns fell short in his attempt to capture the Welterweight Championship from Kamaru Usman at UFC 258, falling to a TKO loss despite a strong start to the bout.
Leon Edwards wants Colby Covington to step up and fight him: "Stop being a b*tch"
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants Colby Covington to step up and fight him in March, telling his rival to “stop being a b*tch.” Edwards was set to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev was forced to withdraw from the fight due to complications from COVID-19. That means that Edwards is currently without an opponent, with UFC president Dana White suggesting most recently that he fight Covington. When White said that it was a bit of a surprise because many assumed Covington and Jorge Masvidal would be coaching TUF 29. However, it appears that the promotion has other plans, and that means Edwards vs. Covington is the desired booking.
Leon Edwards responds to "who the fook is that guy" treatment from Nate Diaz
Chris Taylor - February 13, 2021
Leon Edwards was hoping that Nate Diaz would step up and replace Khamzat Chimaev on short notice at UFC Fight Night 187. Edwards and Chimaev were slated to headline the March 13 fight card, but unfortunately ‘Borz’ was forced to pullout from the fight due to a lingering illness.
Mike Perry offers to fight Leon Edwards: "I know I don’t have a win streak but if he wants to fight and nobody will do it it would be my pleasure!"
Chris Taylor - February 12, 2021
Mike Perry has offered to step up and fight Leon Edwards on short notice after his scheduled UFC fight with Khamzat Chimaev fell through. Edwards and Chimaev were slated to headline next month’s UFC Fight Night 187 event on March 13. However, due to a lingering illness, ‘Borz’ was forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated welterweight matchup.
Nate Diaz responds to challenge from UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2021
Nate Diaz doesn’t seem too interested in fighting Leon Edwards. After it was revealed that Khamzat Chimaev was out of the March 13 fight against Edwards, many wondered who would replace him. The Englishman brought up names like Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Nate Diaz. Edwards even doubled down on the Diaz callout earlier on Friday.
Leon Edwards doubles down on Nate Diaz callout: "Let’s go if you still think you're a real one"
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
Leon Edwards has doubled down on his callout of Nate Diaz. Edwards, the UFC’s No. 3-ranked welterweight contender, was slated to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev has been forced out of the fight, marking the third consecutive time this matchup has fallen apart.
Leon Edwards aims to stay on March 13 card, has three replacement opponents in mind
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
No. 3 UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants to fight on March 13, and has three opponents in mind for that date. Edwards was scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev was forced out of the fight due to lingering issues stemming from a previous COVID-19 infection, marking the third time the bout has fallen through.
Stephen Thompson offers to replace Khamzat Chimaev and fight Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Stephen Thompson is hoping to finally fight Leon Edwards. Ever since Edwards lost his fight to Tyron Woodley in March of 2020 due to the pandemic, Thompson has been vocal about wanting to fight him. “Wonderboy,” thought it made sense but the Englishman didn’t like it and turned it down. Edwards was then forced to fight Khamzat Chimaev but after the fight was called off for the third time, Thompson believes the time is now for the fight to happen.
Leon Edwards believes Jorge Masvidal will continue to "find an excuse" even after he beats Khamzat Chimaev
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2021
UFC welterweight Leon Edwards believes Jorge Masvidal will find an excuse not to fight him even if he beats rising contender Khamzat Chimaev. Edwards is set to put his current winning streak on the line when he locks horns with Chimaev next month, with many believing that the latter could prove to be the next big thing in the UFC.
Khamzat Chimaev says he has never seen Leon Edwards fight
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Ahead of their upcoming main event matchup, UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev admitted that he has never watched Leon Edwards fight. After two previous matchups fell apart due to COVID-19 issues, Chimaev and Edwards will now meet in the headliner of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Fight fans are crossing their fingers that both men remain healthy so this fight can finally take place as expected, with the winner of the bout potentially earning a title shot against the winner of UFC 258’s Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns championship fight.
Gilbert Burns shares his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Soon to be welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns has shared his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards. Burns (19-3 MMA) is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC’s coveted welterweight championship in two weeks at UFC 258. ‘Durinho’ will enter the highly anticipated title bout on a six-fight winning streak. During that impressive stretch the Brazilian has scored victories over Oliver Aubin-Mercier, Mike Davis, Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia and most recently Tyron Woodley.
Khamzat Chimaev re-opens as betting favorite for Leon Edwards fight
Adam Martin - January 14, 2021
The betting odds for the new booking between welterweights Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev features Chimaev opening as the favorite this time. Edwards and Chimaev were previously set to fight at UFC Vegas 17 in Las Vegas and then on January 20 in Fight Island. The first time the betting odds opened up, Edwards opened as the favorite with Chimaev as the underdog, but bettors quickly scooped up the plus-money on Chimaev and the line flipped the other way. With Edwards and Chimaev now re-booked to fight again on March 13, the oddsmakers were quick to re-open the line. Only this time, Chimaev opened up as the favorite.
Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev gets new date, now scheduled for March 13
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
A welterweight fight between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev has been rescheduled once again, this time for the main event of a card on March 13. News of this matchup’s new date was first reported by MMA Junkie, who received the information directly from UFC President Dana White.
Leon Edwards reveals he offered to fight Magny and Chiesa but UFC said no
Cole Shelton - January 6, 2021
Leon Edwards wanted to remain on the January 20 fight card. Originally, Edwards was set to headline the card against Khamzat Chimaev but the Swede was still recovering from COVID-19 so the fight was off. After the news was reported, Edwards sent out a tweet letting everyone know he still will fight on the card. However, when the dust settled, Edwards was off the card and Neil Magny will face Michael Chiesa in the main event.
Leon Edwards claims he tried fight on January 20, and Chimaev "straight after," but UFC refused
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
Leon Edwards claims he wanted to fight Michael Chiesa or Neil Magny on January 20, and then Khamzat Chimaev immediately after, but the UFC wasn’t on board. Edwards was originally scheduled to fight Chimaev in the main event of the January 20 card, which will go down on Fight Island. Regrettably, Chimaev was forced out of the matchup due to lingering health issues stemming from a COVID-19 infection.