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Leon Edwards’ year 2020 has been difficult to say the least.
The UFC welterweight contender tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from his main fight against rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Fight Night 183.
MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn Confirmed News Following Initial Report From UFC Broadcast Partner ESPN.
Now, a welterweight contest between Geoff Neal and the two-time former title challenger Stephen Thompson will serve as the main event for the card.
Edwards’ coronavirus case has been serious, with the British star losing 12 pounds. He is now recovering and the UFC plans to book Edwards against Chimaev for the start of 2021.
Positive COVID test and withdrawal from bout end what has been a tumultuous year for Edwards, who hasn’t fought since July 2019 when he defeated former UFC Champion Rafael dos Anjos to extend his streak of wins to eight.
Edwards was due to return to battle in March against former champion Tyron Woodley in London, but restrictions due to the global cornavirus pandemic forced the card to be canceled.
Following the cancellation of his fight with Woodley, Edwards struggled to fight. Travel restrictions didn’t help at first before appeals from Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington failed.
Edwards was booked against Shimaev in October. The 29-year-old Briton was briefly removed from the official UFC rankings, but was reinstated once he was booked to fight Chimaev, who recently entered the UFC rankings at No.15 on heels of his dominant 3-0 start in the promotion.
Below is the updated UFC roster on ESPN 19:
Geoff Neal vs. Stephen Thompson Greg Hardy vs. Marcin Tybura Rob Font vs. Marlon Moraes Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams Manel Kape vs. Alexandre Pantoja Belal Muhammad vs. Dhiego Lima Antonio Arroyo vs. Deron Winn Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad Drako Rodriguez vs. Aiemann Zahabi Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
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