Khamzat Chimaev’s next fight will provide definitive answers about just how good the undefeated UFC prospect is.
After promises from UFC president Dana White to book Chimaev in a main event against a ranked opponent, the promotion is following with a matchup against Leon Edwards.
White announced the booking between Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) and Chimaev (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) during a Friday appearance on “The Jim Rome Show,” stating that “we just got a deal done” for the welterweight matchup. Edwards’ team confirmed the news to MMA Junkie shortly after.
No date has been officially established, but the fight is expected to headline the Dec. 19 event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Edwards will end a lengthy hiatus from the octagon in what will be his first fight since beating Rafael dos Anjos in July 2019. The Brit, who has put together an eight-fight winning streak at 170 pounds, was supposed to headline an event in London vs. former champ Tyron Woodley in March, but the coronavirus pandemic canceled the event.
Edwards has since been presented with multiple opportunities to compete, but the situation hasn’t aligned one way or another. That’s seemingly caused tension with the UFC brass, who on Thursday removed Edwards from the UFC rankings due to “inactivity.” Just one day later, though, White announced he’s back.
Chimaev, meanwhile, joined the UFC in July and has made an impact in short order. He’s produced three victories, all by stoppage, in a span of 66 days. His most recent showing saw him knock out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds at UFC on ESPN+ 36 this month, and afterward White praised Chimaev as “one of the most special fighters” he’s seen.
Competing as both a middleweight and a welterweight, there’s been speculation about exactly how far Chimaev would be pushed up the ladder in either division. Now his first big test comes at 170 pounds.
With the addition, the Dec. 19 lineup would include:
- Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev
- Antonio Braga Neto vs. Deron Winn
- Sean Brady vs. Belal Muhammad
- Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett
- Rob Font vs. Marlon Moraes