The long-awaited UFC welterweight match between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev on March 13 is off. Again.
UFC President Dana White told ESPN on Thursday that Chimaev was forced to withdraw from the fight due to the persistent physical effects caused by COVID-19. White said Chimaev has a lung problem and will be taking medication again.
“I’m very baffled. I was very excited. This was one of my favorite fights this year,” White told ESPN. “The only thing you have to keep in mind right now is health. Let’s make sure this guy is healthy, that we take the best possible care and that we make sure he recovers completely.”
This is the third time the fight has fallen. The two were due to fight on December 19, but Edwards withdrew with COVID-19. Chimaev withdrew from a rescheduled date on January 20 for the same reason.
White told ESPN that promotion will have to happen from the match while Chimaev recovers. Edwards is expected to book a different opponent and move on to a new date.
“[Matchmaker Sean Shelby] he’s literally in the other room right now working on a new fight for Leon Edwards, ”White said.
Chimaev, who fights outside of Sweden, was a big star in the UFC in 2020. He made his promotional debut in July and featured John Phillips in the second round. He turned and fought Rhys McKee just 10 days later, and won that fight via TKO. He then eliminated Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds in September.