#3 ranked UFC welterweight Leon Edwards fights Next Big Thing contender Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 44 on December 19 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. During a recent interview with Damon Martin for MMA Fighting, Edwards argued that “Borz” is overhyped.
Outside a title shot, I believe he’s the biggest fight, said Edwards. Obviously, [Jorge] Masvidal would have been good as well, but he turned the fight down. This is the biggest fight to guarantee me what’s next.
The UFC loves him. Dana [White] loves him. They all think he can’t be beat. When I go out there and take him out, I can’t see what they can say next to give me my title shot. I’d be on a nine-fight win streak. I believe this was the fight to make and now here we are.
I know the UFC’s probably banking [on Chimaev winning], Dana anyway, I know he’s praying that this kid wins, but I’ll be way too much for him in there, I’m telling you. They’ve done this before with other fighters. They’d get one, two good wins in their career and the UFC kind of pushed them straight to the top, and then they get beat. Like in boxing, if you’re a good prospect, they kind of build you slowly, make you learn the tricks of the trade and go through adversity. They’ve done it to many other fighters you can name. It’s not worked out.
Dana, I’m going to smash your boy. I cannot wait. It’s going to be a very good night come December.
A former BRAVE CF contender, Khamzat Chimaev has enjoyed an unparalleled, record-setting debut through a standard UFC three-fight contract. He has been hit just twice in his first three league fights, and both were in his first bout. And the number of shots it takes him to win is decreasing, as the level of competition increases. He stopped his first opponent after 124 punches at middleweight, the second after 68 punches at welterweight, and the third opponent, back at middleweight, with just four punches.
Former champ champ Daniel Cormier, says “In 2021, Khamzat Chimaev is the double champ, 170 and 185.”
UFC president Dana White says, “This guy is one of the most special fighters I’ve ever seen, if not the most special guy that I’ve ever come across.
The Edwards fight that will determine if Khamzat Chimaev is the next big thing, and a title shot will surely follow a win. Edwards too hopes for and given that with a win his streak will extend to nine, he deserves the same.
