Leon Edwards is no longer one of the leading welterweight contenders in the UFC, at least according to the official rankings, from which the UK fighter has been removed this week due to inactivity.
That’s a real slap in the face for Edwards, who is actually on an eight-fight winning streak in the division that includes wins over the likes of Donald Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson and most recently Rafael dos Anjos.
That last win on the scorecards came back in July of last year however, with a scheduled fight against Tyron Woodley in March of 2020 being scrapped due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
According to a report from ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Edwards has since turned down a short-notice fight against Kamaru Usman, then the possibility of a Colby Covington bout, plus other match-ups against Geoff Neal and Khamzat Chimaev.
However, since learning of his wipe from the rankings, Edwards has posted a defiant message, while apparently reigning interest in fighting Chimaev.
“I’m still in the rankings,” Edwards stated. “F**k all the inactivity, the only reason I haven’t fought is because all these so called top guys turned me down.
“Khamzat want to fight then?”
That’s a complete 180 turn from his previous remarks earlier this month when a fight with Chimaev was brought up, when he told MMAfighting.com that, “He has to at least beat somebody in the top f**king 25 before you go straight to f**king fight No. 3.”
Edwards change of heart has prompted a quick response from Chimaev, who appears ready, willing and able to go up against him.
“I’m always ready to fight. Let’s go. Rock’n’roll baby.”
