UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has had a most unfortunate 2020.
The English fighter, currently riding an eight-fight win streak, was dealt his latest bit of bad news when his year-end main event fight with fellow surging contender Khamzat Chimaev was postponed until next year after Edwards’ detailed a particularly severe reaction to COVID-19.
The virus has been particularly cruel to Edwards. In March, a UFC London headliner against former champ Tyron Woodley was canned on the week of the fight owing to coronavirus restrictions. Edwards was also unable to take on a title shot against Kamaru Usman for similar circumstances and has now lost out on another fight this calendar year, and now hasn’t fought since a win against Rafael Dos Anjos in July 2019.
But reflecting on the situation on Twitter, Edwards acknowledged his disappointment but put the situation into perspective by saying that there are a lot of people out there in more difficult positions than he.
Another setback, but when you come from the mud you learn to put everything in perspective. This virus has affected many lives and families much worse than mine. Looking forward to getting this rebooked soon, thank you all for the well wishes
— Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) December 2, 2020
“Another setback, but when you come from the mud you learn to put everything in perspective. This virus has affected many lives and families much worse than mine. Looking forward to getting this rebooked soon, thank you all for the well wishes,” Edwards wrote online.
There has yet to be an announcement as to when the fight may be rebooked, but Edwards appears confident that it will take place in the new year — and sooner rather than later.