Khamzat Chimaev’s blockbuster UFC clash with Leon Edwards on January 20th is CANCELED. ‘

Khamzat Chimaev’s blockbuster UFC fight against Leon Edwards on January 20 has been canceled for the second time.

The welterweight bout had been pushed back from December 19 after British contender Edwards tested positive for coronavirus.

And according to RT Sport, the showdown in Abu Dhabi is over again, and Chimaev won’t be able to fight next month.

Khamzat Chimaev’s big UFC clash with Leon Edwards on January 20 has been canceled

The reason for the decision to cancel the event is not entirely clear yet, although Frontkick has reported that it was Chimaev’s side that had to pull back.

The fight was supposed to be the first major UFC event for the Russian-born Swede.

Chimaev has traded barbs with Conor McGregor for the past few months and the win would have put him one step closer to a lean fight with the Irishman.

The 26-year-old had a breakout year in 2020, winning his first three bouts in the UFC in three months, including an eleven-day turnaround – the shortest in the organization’s history.

UFC President Dana White was impressed by Chimaev’s rise and predicts a bright future for him.

The undefeated Chimaev had a breakout in 2020 and the fight should be his first major event

He recently said: ‘This guy is special, I’ve been in this game all my life and I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s special, he’s different, I’ve never been in a position where I thought, “Who’s next?”

“It’s fun and I like it. I think if you’re a fight fan, a guy like this is one you love to watch, follow, and hate. This is one of the most special fighters I’ve ever seen, if not the most special guy I’ve ever met. And he kept telling me, “You think I’m a wrestler, wait till you see my hands”, Holy S ***.

“It’s one thing to say you want a turnaround fight, but not like him, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

It is not yet clear whether Chimaev’s fight with Edwards will be postponed or abandoned a second time later in 2021.