Khamzat Chimaev has become one of the UFC’s breakout stars, but the road to that status was anything but straightforward. In the early days, opponents were hardly lining up for a piece of the undefeated Chechen fighter, as he worked his way up with a string of emphatic performances. That push for more high-profile tests mirrored the sport’s chaotic rhythm during the pandemic era, when scheduling could swing wildly from week to week.
A pivotal turn came when Chimaev drew the attention of rising welterweight star Leon Edwards in 2020. Edwards, then eyeing a path toward a UFC title, saw in Chimaev a potential springboard to the top of the division. He explained on the Joe Rogan Experience that many in the top ranks were hesitant to take on Chimaev, fearing the damage he could do to the momentum of their own title pursuits. Edwards, however, viewed the opportunity as a chance to catapult himself into title contention by testing the hype around Chimaev.
What followed was a saga that highlighted the perils of scheduling in the UFC during a global health crisis. Edwards agreed to fight Chimaev in December 2020, but the bout was canceled after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19, making him unavailable to compete. The fight’s postponement became a recurring theme: Edwards and Chimaev were rescheduled for January, but Chimaev also contracted COVID-19 and spent time hospitalized, pushing the clash again.
The situation grew more complicated as the plan to stage Chimaev vs. Edwards faltered for a third time. With Chimaev still dealing with the lingering effects of the illness, he pulled out once more. In the wake of those disruptions, Belal Muhammad stepped in to replace him against Edwards. The fight ended in a no-contest after Edwards delivered an accidental eye poke to Muhammad, effectively ending the planned Edwards–Chimaev showdown in its third iteration and leaving the pairing unfulfilled.
For Chimaev, the early obstacles—fighters turning down fights, a scheduled battle that was repeatedly derailed by illness, and a replacement bout that didn’t go as hoped—are part of a larger narrative about a fighter who would soon become one of the sport’s most talked-about figures. The experience underscored how quickly a rising star can be propelled by momentum, even as external factors threaten to derail a rapid ascent.
Even with those setbacks, the period helped to cement a broader perception: Chimaev’s presence was too big to ignore, and as the UFC continued to adapt to pandemic-era realities, his status as a feared and sought-after opponent only grew. The early trials—opponents wary of facing him, cancellations that tested patience, and high-stakes implications for a potential title run—are now part of the story behind a fighter whose appeal extends beyond wins and losses.
Additional context worth noting is how the sport’s calendar and health protocols in 2020 and 2021 affected plans at the highest levels. The Edwards-Chimaev narrative illustrates the double-edged sword of hype: it can attract opportunities, but it also amplifies the impact when fights don’t come together as hoped. The resilience shown in navigating cancellations and substitutions is a recurring theme in fighters’ careers, and Chimaev’s rise is a prime example of how perseverance, timing, and a little luck can shape a championship trajectory.
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s this: Chimaev’s ascent was paved as much by the willingness of others to face him as by his own performances. The hype surrounding him, paired with the reality of disrupted schedules, created a compelling chapter in UFC history that underscored the sport’s unpredictable nature and the ways in which a fighter can still emerge stronger from a tumultuous start.
Summary: The early years of Khamzat Chimaev’s career were defined by opponents turning down fights, a high-profile matchup with Leon Edwards repeatedly delayed by COVID-19 and related issues, and a replacement bout that ended in a no-contest. The experience illustrated the chaotic, unpredictable path many fighters navigate on their way to stardom, and it underscored the persistence required to turn hype into lasting success.