Khamzat Chimaev happy for Leon Edwards, but thinks new champ will try to duck him

LAS VEGAS – Khamzat Chimaev thinks Leon Edwards will try to avoid a fight with him.

Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) captured the welterweight title with an incredible head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) at UFC 278 in August when he came from behind to secure a last-minute finish.

Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) lauds Edwards for his win, but wonders why he hasn’t mentioned his name.

“That was an amazing performance,” Chimaev told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Wednesday’s UFC 279 media day. “He showed his heart, and last minute he knocked him out. I’m happy for him. He deserved that. He worked hard. (But) he doesn’t want to talk about me. I see somebody ask my name, and he just jumps over it and speak about (Nate) Diaz, speak about (Jorge) Masvidal, Usman, (Max) Holloway. (The) guy doesn’t want to see my face.”

Edwards’ coach did say he could see a title shot for Chimaev, but Edwards has diverted his attention to a trilogy bout with formerly dominant champion Usman. Despite Usman’s reign coming to an end, Chimaev is still interested in facing him someday.

“I hope he’s healthy,” Chimaev said. “We will see. I want to see him come back. If he comes back like he (was) before, I want to fight with that guy.”

But first, Chimaev has to get past fan favorite Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 279 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNEWS and early prelims on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.