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Khamzat Chimaev has pulled out of his March 13 bout against Leon Edwards. courtesy of UFC.com

KEY POINTS

  • Lingering COVID-19 effects have forced Khamzat Chimaev out of his bout with Leon Edwards
  • The Chimaev-Edwards bout has already been canceled three times
  • Both Chimaev and Edwards contracted COVID-19 in late 2020

One of the UFC’s most anticipated welterweight matchups has been put on hold once again, after Khamzat Chimaev was forced to pull out of his March 13 fight against Leon Edwards.

According to UFC president Dana White, as told to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Chimaev withdrew from the contest as he is still suffering from the effects of his bout with COVID-19 in 2020.

White explained that Chimaev, who contracted the virus last November, continues to experience the lingering effects of the dreaded disease and needed to be put back on medication due to an issue with his lungs.

"I'm so bummed out. I was so excited. That was one of my favorite fights this year. The one thing you have to look at right now is health. Let's make sure this guy is healthy, get him the best care we can and make sure he makes a full recovery,” White said.

This is the third time that the Chimaev-Edwards has been scratched. The two were initially scheduled to meet in the main event of UFC Fight Night 187 this past December, but both men tested positive for COVID-19 just weeks before the fight.

The bout was then rescheduled for January of this year, but Chimaev had to pull out again due to lingering complications from the disease.

The 26-year old was one of the UFC’s biggest breakout stars in 2020. The undefeated Russian-born Swede debuted with the promotion in July of last year, submitting John Phillips in the second round.

Chimaev followed that up with a TKO win over Rhys McKee just ten days later, setting the UFC record for quickest turnaround between wins in the modern era.

Less than two months later, Chimaev returned to action, this time in the middleweight division, and knocked out Geraled Meerschaert in just 17 seconds.

Edwards, meanwhile, is the UFC’s No. 3-ranked contender in the welterweight division and has won ten of his last 11 bouts.

The British-Jamaican standout is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, with wins over the likes of Donald Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson and former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.

At the moment, it is undecided whether Edwards gets a new opponent for March 13 or he waits out until Chimaev can compete again.