Rising superstar Khamzat Chimaev has taken the MMA world by storm, rattling off three straight wins since his debut in the UFC back in July and setting a record for the fastest 3-0 start in modern UFC history. But now he's slated to face the stiffest test of his young career.
According to ESPN, the UFC has booked top welterweight contender Leon Edwards against Khamzat Chimaev for the main event match scheduled for December 19. It will be the final UFC card of 2020. The fight will take place at welterweight.
The booking comes just days after the UFC removed Leon Edwards from the rankings for inactivity. Previously ranked No. 3 in the welterweight division, Edwards has won his last eight bouts in a row but hasn't fought since July 2019.
He was scheduled to fight Tyron Woodley on March 21, but that fight was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Woodley went on to lose to Colby Covington in September.
Edwards was then offered a short-notice title fight against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for July 11, but Edwards turned down the fight due to lack of training time. He also turned down fights against Colby Covington and Geoff Neal. Edwards had previously called out Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal, but nothing was made of it. After being removed from the rankings, Edwards took to social media and defended that all the top guys turned him down.
The undefeated Chimaev (9-0) was eager to step up and offer a fight. Chimaev is 3-0 in the UFC and coming off a 17-second knockout of Gerald Meerschaert. Edwards will be Chimaev's first ranked opponent.