“Why Do You Hate Leon Edwards So Much?”- Ariel Helwani Outraged at MMA Community for Suggesting Khamzat Chimaev Matchup

One of the biggest news coming out of the world of MMA – Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal is not happening. The news was first broken by Brett Okamoto. The former UFC welterweight title challenger pulled out of the fight after an undisclosed injury.

This was a fight everyone wanted to see as there is animosity between the two. Both men don’t like each other, and both are world-class fighters. However, that will not be the case now. Since the backing out of Masvidal, a lot of fighters have come out, wanting to take his spot.

But according to Ariel Helwani, he should now demand a title shot or be done with the UFC. On his show, The MMA Hour, he said, “Let me tell you something right here and now, and let me just shoot. If Leon Edwards, now that this fight is off, is not fighting for the title next, I would ask for my release. I would say, I’m out.”

“This fight is now off, and it’s unfortunate because it was the fight I was most looking forward to for the rest of the year… The decision to make now unequivocally is Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman, for the belt. Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal sometime next year.”

“This is almost a gift from the MMA gods,” Helwani said. “The two fights that have the most heat behind them. You go Leon for the belt after everything he’s been through, and then you go, Colby vs. Jorge, because that has a ton of heat… I see people in the media campaigning for Khamzat to fight Leon. Have you guys lost your minds? Why do you hate Leon Edwards so much?”

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Fighters want a piece of Leon Edwards

‘Rocky’ must feel like the most wanted man in the world right now. Ever since the news of Masvidal backing out of the fight at UFC 269 broke, it seems like everyone wants to fight Edwards. One of the first people to call him out was Gilbert Burns.

The number two ranked welterweight seems to suggest that since he’s already in a camp, he might as well fight. He said, “What’s up @Leon_edwardsmma. you already on training camp! Let me know #UFC269.”

Another man who wants in is his former opponent, Belal Muhammad. The pair met earlier this year at UFC Fight Night 187. The match finished as a no-contest after an accidental eye poke from Edwards forced a stoppage. ‘Bully B’ said, “Took it on 2 weeks last time give me 4 this time I’m ready.”

The third guy, someone who seems to be getting the most traction from the fans, is Khamzat Chimaev. The newest sensation in MMA has recently broken into the top 10. He is easily the most famous fighter in the world right now, and fans want to see him fight. Because the UFC tried to make this fight before, they can try to push for it again. On his Twitter, he posted, “Let’s go bro we do it @Leon_edwardsmma.”

However, despite all the hype and talk about an opponent for Edwards, he doesn’t seem too interested. After the news broke, he said he wasn’t surprised with Masvidal backing out and seemed to have demanded a title shot.

Whatever decision the UFC takes, it will be interesting to see. What do you make of what Helwani said? Should Edwards wait for a title shot? Let us know in the comments!

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