The off-again, on-again welterweight fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards is back on again.
On Wednesday, MMA Junkie cited none other than UFC President Dana White as confirming that the anticipated bout would take place March 13. It will serve as the Fight Night card’s main event.
The fight has been scheduled twice before, as the main event of UFC cards on December 19 and January 20. Positive COVID-19 tests scrapped the bout on both occasions, with first Edwards, then Chimaev testing positive for the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Chimaev (9-0) was one of the breakout stars of 2020 for the UFC. He went 3-0 after entering the promotion on July 16 on Fight Island, where he submitted John Phillips with a D’arce choke. That fight came at middleweight. Ten days later, he returned in a welterweight fight with Rhys McKee, ending that with a first round TKO. “Borz” set the record for shortest period of time between UFC victories in the process (discounting single-night tournaments).
In September, Chimaev moved back to middleweight and took all of 17 seconds to knock out Gerald Meerschaert.
Edwards (18-3) has long been a top contender in the UFC’s welterweight division. However he seemed to fly under the radar for much of his current eight-fight win streak. That said, Edwards has picked up wins over the likes of Vicente Luque, Gunnar Nelson, Cowboy Cerrone, and Rafael dos Anjos — but has not competed since the RDA fight in July 2019.
The UFC’s March 13, 2021 event does not have a location or venue announced. The following bouts have been reported for the card:
Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev – five round main event
Davey Grant vs. Jonathan Martinez
Matthew Semelsberger vs. Jason Witt
Jinh Yu Frey vs. Gloria de Paula
