The long-awaited UFC welterweight fight between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev on March 13 is over. Again.
UFC President Dana White told ESPN on Thursday that Chimaev was forced to withdraw from the fight due to the prolonged physical effects caused by COVID-19. White said Chimaev has a lung problem and will be medicated again.
“I am so upset. I was so excited. That was one of my favorite fights this year,” White told ESPN. “The only thing you need to look at right now is health. Let’s make sure this guy is healthy, give him the best care we can and make sure he has a full recovery.”
This is the third time that the struggle has failed. The two were supposed to fight on December 19, but Edwards gave up on COVID-19. Chimaev withdrew from a rescheduled January 20 date for the same reason.
White told ESPN that the promotion will have to move on while Chimaev recovers. Edwards is expected to mark a different opponent and potentially move to a new date.
Chimaev, who fights outside Sweden, was a UFC star in 2020. He made his promotional debut in July and submitted John Phillips in the second round. He turned and fought Rhys McKee just 10 days later, and won the fight via technical knockout. He then knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds in September.