Jorge Masvidal, one of the UFC’s hottest stars, is OUT of his upcoming welterweight fight with Leon Edwards.
The fight was scheduled to take place at UFC 269 in Las Vegas on December 11. However, UFC’s Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on Wednesday that Masvidal will be pulling out due to an undisclosed injury.
Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) vs. Leon Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) is off UFC 269 on Dec. 11, UFC's Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell tells ESPN. Undisclosed injury for Masvidal. No word yet on whether it will be rebooked or UFC will move on. https://t.co/OUNUZtj4oy
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 10, 2021
The fight between Masvidal (#7) and Edwards (#3) stems from an altercation they had backstage in 2019 when Masvidal punched Edwards backstage at a UFC event in London.
Edwards would respond to the news on Twitter alluding to the fact that he won’t be taking on another opponent and instead wait for welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to be ready to fight again. Usman is coming off of his fifth welterweight title defense after a win over Colby Covington this past weekend at UFC 268.
Disappointed but honestly I knew this fraud didn't want to fight me anyway. He was just a stop off on the way to the title. The goal remains the same. Much needed family time now, @usman84kg i will see you soon.
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) November 10, 2021
Rising welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev (#10), who is famous for taking short notice fights, immediately began lobbying to step in as Masvidal’s replacement and fight Edwards at UFC 269.
Let’s go bro we do it @Leon_edwardsmma 👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/HXvytUOIRt
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) November 10, 2021
According to Okamoto, Chimaev’s management is making a big push to step in for that fight too.
Spoke to Khamzat Chimaev's (@KChimaev) manager Majdi Shammas. Too early to know what is going to happen, but Khamzat has been asking him for a fight every day since UFC 267.
Just texted him when he saw news of Masvidal's withdrawal. "Call UFC now, we travel tomorrow."
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 10, 2021
As it stands now, UFC 269 is still headlined by Dustin Poirier (#1) vs. Charles Oliveira (C) for the lightweight championship, and co-headlined by Amanda Nunes (C) vs. Julianna Peña (#4) for the women’s bantamweight championship. Names such as Cody Garbrandt and Sean O’Malley remain on the card as well.
