Khamzat Chimaev shuts down chances of Leon Edwards title fight at UFC 300

13 February 2024 , 12:31

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Khamzat Chimaev shuts down chances of Leon Edwards title fight at UFC 300

Khamzat Chimaev has shut down rumours about a world title fight against Leon Edwards at UFC 300.

UFC 300 is set to take place on April 13 in Las Vegas but the mega-fight is still without a main event. MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed Chimaev was being discussed as a potential opponent to headline the card, either against UFC welterweight champion Edwards or middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis.

Chimaev is a devout Muslim and will be taking part in Ramadan for a month, with the holy period ending just days before UFC 300 takes place. The Russian has no plans of fighting until summer as he told MMA Uncensored: “I will fight everybody brother, Leon, du Plessis, anyone, but not in Ramadan. I think Ramadan [is during] UFC 300."

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Chimaev expressed interest in fighting at the UFC's inaugural event in Saudi Arabia on June 22 by adding: "Maybe somebody in Saudi Arabia. I want to fight there. Not fighting in Ramadan anymore.” The Saudi Arabia event was expected to take place on March 2 but was pushed back because some fights couldn't be made in time for the event.

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Edwards was booked to fight Chimaev over three years ago but their fight was cancelled on three separate occasions after they both battled issues with Covid-19. Chimaev was once ranked at No.3 in the welterweight division but has since lost that spot having not fought at 170lb for almost two years.

Edwards announced he will be fighting at the mega-event whilst appearing at Aston Villa's win over Burnley before New Year's Eve, stating: "I will defend my belt in April at UFC 300 in Vegas again, then hopefully in the summertime get a fight back home in Birmingham at Villa Park. I'm in talks with the UFC, so hopefully we can get it done."

The Brummie played down a fight against No.1 contender Belal Muhammad after his win against Colby Covington at UFC 296 by telling reporters including Mirror Fighting: "I don’t feel like Belal should be next. I’ve done it before. I’ve won like 10 fights and didn’t get a title shot. So, what makes him different or more privileged? There are definitely other options."

Harry Davies