via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Khamzat Chimaev of Czechia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 24, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Khamzat Chimaev of Czechia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 24, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC rising star Khamzat Chimaev has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 per sources close to the Swedish-Russian fighter. ‘Borz’ is to be in the main event match-up against Leon Edwards scheduled for December 19, 2020. Sources close to Khamzat Chimaev have reported that he came down with a fever and followed things up with a PCR test to determine COVID-19’s presence. The news came forth from a report by Kimura Crew.
Despite the recent news, further sources have projected that Khamzat Chimaev might be looking to maintain his December 19 date. In theory, Chimaev could make the date for the main event booking, as it is over two weeks away. However, the UFC will surely insist that he tests negative at least a week out from the fight.
A caveat comes from ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, who gave an update on Leon Edwards’ stance on the situation.
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Leon Edwards’ team said they haven’t been notified yet and the @kimurasweden report was the first they heard about it. Not saying it’s not true but that’s what they said. No word yet from Chimaev’s team. https://t.co/cArHHhpJmH
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 29, 2020
Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards- Left to chance
Fans immediately began to look towards news of the bout given that UFC Vegas 17 on December 19 is one of the most hyped cards. Chiefly, MMA Junkie’s John Morgan came out and mentioned that ‘Borz’ was “good to go”. However, it’s worthwhile to note that Chimaev’s team didn’t outright come and deny the report of a positive COVID-19 test.
Chimaev’s team tells me that he is still “good to go” for Dec. 19 at this time. https://t.co/xFbFIBxRlF
— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) November 29, 2020
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Furthermore, the UFC social media manager for Adjarasport took to Twitter and provided an update on the matter. He revealed that newcomer Guram Kutateladze has disputed the fact that Khamzat Chimaev tested COVID-19 positive. Kutateladze explained that he was currently training with Chimaev in Las Vegas.
🚨 I just spoke with Guram Kutateladze about Khamzat Chimaev and COVID-19 rumor and he said – NO. 🤙🏽
Guram is currently with Khamzat in Las Vegas and they are training together. 🐺#UFC #MMA #GuramKutateladze #KhamzatChimaev pic.twitter.com/sdnPEpPCIq
— Giorgi Kokiashvili 🇬🇪 (@iHeartGeorgius1) November 30, 2020
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The aforementioned narrative continues to take many winding turns, and it seems as though a new angle continues to emerge. The UFC has kept mum on the topic and there’s no further clarity on whether the main event fight is on. The match-up is a huge opportunity for the 9-0 fighter to break his way into the company’s top ranks.
Khamzat Chimaev has had one of the most successful years in the UFC’s recent history, and he’ll look to cap it off with a win. ‘Rocky’ Edwards is no slouch and is knocking on the door of a title shot with an 8-fight win streak. His last loss came to the undisputed champion Kamaru Usman, and he’s looked to be in great shape since.
