Khamzat Chimaev has reportedly been forced to withdraw from next month’s eagerly anticipated bout against Leon Edwards in Abu Dhabi.
The Chechen-born fighter, for many the UFC's breakout star of 2020, was on Tuesday reported to be out of the January 20 clash, which was to headline the middle of three events at the upcoming Fight Island.
The news was first reported by Swedish outlet FrontKickOnline – Chimaev is based in Sweden – while a person close to the situation later told The National that the UFC are seeking a replacement to face Edwards.
As of yet, there has been no official confirmation of Chimaev’s withdrawal or what caused it.
It marks the second time a fight between the pair has been called off, after Edwards withdrew from their December 19 encounter having tested positive Covid-19. The Englishman, the No 3-ranked contender at welterweight, has not fought since July last year.
Edwards-Chimaev was last week announced as the main event at Fight Night 2 on the UFC's third Fight Island series in Abu Dhabi.
The run begins on January 16, with Max Holloway headlining against Calvin Kattar, and concludes with Conor McGregor’s comeback against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. The latter is a rematch of their 2014 bout, in which McGregor, a former two-division champion, won by first-round TKO.
The loss of Edwards against Chimaev represents a major blow for the UFC and local organisers.
Unbeaten in nine pro fights, Chimaev was one of the highlights of the inaugural Fight Island in July, in which he competed twice in 10 days – the first his UFC debut – to set a record for fastest consecutive wins in the promotion.
Chimaev secured a second-round, submission victory against veteran John Phillips, with the bout taking place at middleweight, then returned at welterweight to ease to a first-round TKO of Northern Ireland’s Rhys McKee.
In September, Chimaev made his United States bow, and needed only 17 seconds to see off Gerald Meerschaert by knockout in Las Vegas. The manner of his victories – each one earned “Performance of the Night” bonuses – lifted Chimaev into the welterweight rankings. At present, he is the No 15 challenger.
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Gallery: Khabib beats Gaethje at UFC 254
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UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty -
Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty -
Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty -
Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty -
US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty -
Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty -
Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty -
US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty -
Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty -
American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty -
Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty -
Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty
