The UFC’s highly anticipated welterweight matchup 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 bout due to lingering physical effects caused by COVID-19. White said Chimaev has an issue with his lungs and will be put on medication again.
“I’m so bummed out. I was so excited. That was one of my favorite fights this year,” White told ESPN. “The one thing you have to look at right now is health. Let’s make sure this guy is healthy, get him the best care we can and make sure he makes a full recovery.”
This is the third time the bout has fallen through. The two were supposed to fight on Dec. 19, but Edwards pulled out with COVID-19. Chimaev withdrew from a rescheduled date of Jan. 20 for the same reason.
White told ESPN the promotion will have to move on from the matchup while Chimaev recovers. Edwards is expected to book a different opponent and potentially move to a new date.
“[Matchmaker Sean Shelby] is literally in the other room right now working on a new fight for Leon Edwards,” White said.
Chimaev, who fights out of Sweden, was a breakout star for the UFC in 2020. He made his promotional debut in July, and submitted John Phillips in the second round. He turned around and fought Rhys McKee just 10 days later, and won that bout via TKO. He then knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds in September.