Third Time is Not the Charm
By Eddie Sanchez
Sometimes things are just not meant to be. In a similar, but less prolific fashion, the Leon Edwards-vs-Khamzat Chimaev bout has been cancelled for a third time due to Chimaev still struggling with COVID -related-issues.
I’m sure I speak for most of the UFC fan base when I note that there was considerable excitement surrounding this potential matchup. Having Khamzat burst onto the mainstream scene the way he did in Fight Island, provided an exceptional opportunity to take on the #3 ranked Welterweight in the world.
Unfortunately, we will have to wait for that possible matchup for some time. In the immediate future, the UFC will need to schedule Leon Edwards a dance partner as soon as possible. He has not stepped in the cage since July 2019 and any more delays would surely push him close to two years of inactivity.
Stephen Wonderboy Thompson volunteered his name into the mix and quite honestly, this would be a great matchup with two top-five ranked Welterweights. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani threw water onto the lightly-burning fire though, so it seems like this will not be an option the fans should offer much hope towards.
It’s understandable why Leon and his team would not want to push his next fight any further, but it is disappointing to see the relatively new sense of urgency. Having been on the sidelines for so long, fans would be fair to question where this need was earlier.
It seems like everyone and their mother wants the next crack at Nate Diaz, but I wouldn’t put much thought into that. He has far too many more lucrative options of the table which we highlighted yesterday.
For the sake of all that is holy with the UFC, I selfishly hope Masvidal and Covington are not options as well. A much more attractive fight would be putting the two of them against each other given their long documented history as friends-turned-rivals.
When you consider the tie-ups in the welterweight division, the options for Leon Edwards decrease significantly if he and his team are adamant about fighting in March. The following fighters are off the table: Usman-Burns, Covington-Masvidal (I will speak this into existence), Wonderboy Thompson (injury), Woodley-Luque.
As you can see the options are low at this point. There are veterans like Demian Maia and Robbie Lawler who could be available, but given their respective lower rankings and ceiling in 2021, these would not be the most attractive options to headline a UFC Fight Night.
One person who could be the savior though is Michael Chiesa. Less than one month ago he defeated Neil Magny by UD and was adamant that he is ready and able to fight those at the top of the Welterweight division.
Chiesa was someone that Edwards was originally looking to fight as a replacement for Khamzat in January, but the UFC declined. Now that that bout is again postponed, this might be the perfect opportunity to circle back and schedule.
A large part of me feels bad for Leon Edwards. Many thought he would not take on Khamzat because of his low ranking as a young-gun in the UFC, but Leon signed off on the bout twice.
Now that he has gone through two delays and is up for a third, all parties involved need to do their best to be adaptable to the fluid situation that is scheduling a fight in the new-normal that is COVID.
