Michael Bisping claims Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards could be similarly cursed as other UFC rivalry

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Aniket Rai

Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Island 8 called off

Much to the dismay of MMA fans, the main event of UFC Fight Island 8 between Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards is called off.

The fight was scheduled to take place on Fight Island on 20th January 2020. It had earlier been postponed from December 19th after ‘Rocky’ Edwards tested positive for Covid-19.

The announcement came on 29th December after reports surfaced that Chimaev withdrew from the fight. The reason for The Chechen Wolf pulling out from the main event is still unclear.

Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards has been called off.
Khamzat Chimaev poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

This leaves the headliner for Fight Island 8 hanging in the balance. It is also unclear if Leon Edwards stays in the main event, or if the fight is completely replaced by Neil Magny vs Michael Chiesa, which was supposed to serve as a backup main event.

MMA commentator Jon Anik posted on Twitter expressing his disappointment at the news.

Michael Bisping suggests Chimaev vs Edwards could be the new Ferguson vs Khabib

Michael Bisping compared Chimaev vs Edwards being cancelled for the 2nd time to the Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, which was cancelled 5 times.

UFC confirmed on August 21, 2015, that it had booked a meeting of Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov on December 11 that year.

After multiple injuries to both superstars over the following years, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the fight ended up never happening.

The final chapter in the fight was Nurmagomedov saying in October 2020 that “Tony Ferguson is finished”. However, Dana White has been open to booking the fight for the 6th time.

Nevertheless, the Chimaev vs Edwards meeting is far from reaching that stage. But, it is concerning how it has been cancelled for the second time. We can only know more once the official reasoning for the cancellation is out.

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