Leon Edwards Says Khamzat Chimaev Has Been Handed Everything Too Easy- Plans to Shock Him”

UFC welterweight Leon Edwards spoke to Mike Bohn from MMA Junkie a month removed from his next fight. The number three ranked 170-pounder will scrap against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Fight Night on December 19, 2020. The bout is expected to be his stepping stone to the title shot that has seemingly eluded him thus far.

Edwards is on an 8-fight win streak in the company. Chiefly, he’s drawn a surging star who has almost as many fights in his professional career as Leon’s win streak. Chimaev has been on a tear in the company and it seems like he’s got an opportunity to break into the top ranks with a win. Edwards on the other hand will look to swipe some hype from ‘Borz’ and propel himself towards a title shot.

Leon Edwards: “He’s not on my level”

‘Rocky’ broke down the tools that Khamzat brought to the table, and it’s safe to say he wasn’t impressed. Moreover, he chimed in on the way that Dana White went about promoting rising stars in the company.

“From what I’ve seen in his fights and I’ve watched everything on him, his wrestling tournaments, his fights everything and I just feel like everything that level they’ve been giving him what was made for him to win. I truly believe he’s gonna be in for a shock when he gets in there with me.”

“They’ve done it time and time again. They try to build these guys up and they got that one good win, two good win and they push them straight to the top. They don’t give them time to build their career and learn and stuff and to grow. We can name many times that Dana White has come out and said ‘this is the next guy’ and they get pushed in the rankings and get beat straight away. He’s not on my level and I’ll go out there and show it.”

‘Rocky’ breaks down his fight against Khamzat Chimaev

What’s more, the 18-3 fighter went on to give his early prediction for the contest. To Leon, it was clear that he’d have to make an example out of the surging hype train. The Swedish-Russian fighter has captured the attention of the company, fans, and also the media.

“I’ve played it out a few times in my head. I can see me going out there and catching him early. Like you said he’s never been out two rounds so I can drag him into deep waters and drown him. It’s totally different when you’re getting hit with shots and you’re getting resistance.”

“Everyone he’s fought there’s no resistance to him, they kinda go in there and he’s done what he wanted to right? I’m going in there to finish him and I need to go in there and make a statement to prove to the world that he’s not on my level and that I deserve a title shot next.”

It is unclear whether Leon Edwards will be in line for a title shot with a win over Khamzat Chimaev. The welterweight division is a shark tank and there are several viable options to challenge for UFC gold.