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Tom Taylor

Bad news, fight fans: Jorge Masvidal will not be fighting Leon Edwards at UFC 269.
Masvidal has been forced off the card, which is scheduled for December 11 in Las Vegas, with an undisclosed injury.
The news was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who noted that there’s currently no word on whether the fight will rebooked for a later date, or if the UFC will look at new options for the two men.
“Rocky” Edwards (19-3) and “Gamebred” Masvidal (35-15) are both ranked in the welterweight top-10, sitting at No 3 and No 7 respectively. The real appeal of the match-up, however, was the animosity between the two stars.

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 pair have been heated rivals since they came to blows backstage at a UFC Fight Night card in London in 2019, not long after Masvidal knocked out Darren Till and Edwards defeated Gunnar Nelson by decision.
Edwards in particular has been chomping at the bit for an opportunity for revenge ever since that incident, and is understandably disappointed that he’ll be deprived of that opportunity next month.
UFC: Masvidal ‘nothing special’ and I’ll stop him, says Edwards
The Briton reacted to news of Masvidal’s exit from the card on Twitter, calling his nemesis a “fraud,” and shifting his attention to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who is fresh of a thrilling title defence against Colby Covington at UFC 268 last weekend in New York City.
“Disappointed but honestly I knew this fraud didn‘t want to fight me anyway,” Edwards wrote. “He was just a stop off on the way to the title. The goal remains the same. Much needed family time now, [Usman] I will see you soon.”
According to Okamoto, surging welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev – who was expected to fight Edwards to no avail in late 2020 and again in early 2021 – has offered to step in to replace Masvidal. However, based on Edwards’ tweet his intention seems to be a break for the holidays and a campaign for a fight with Usman in 2021.

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

Edwards, 30, is currently on a nine-fight unbeaten streak highlighted by wins over Vicente Luque, Nelson, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Rafael dos Anjos, and most recently, the fan favourite Nate Diaz, whom he defeated by decision at UFC 263 in June.
Masvidal, 36, is riding back-to-back losses to Usman: the first a decision, the second a devastating second-round knockout. Before that, he was riding stoppage wins over Diaz, Ben Askren, and Till.
While UFC 269 has taken a definite hit, the card still looks like must-watch television.

Headlining honours will go to a lightweight title fight between champion Charles Oliveira and challenger Dustin Poirier.
In the co-main event, two-division champion Amanda Nunes will defend her bantamweight strap against the underdog Julianna Pena.
The card will also feature the flyweight debut of former bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt, who takes on New Zealand‘s Kai Kara-France, and the latest showing from popular bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley, who will take on rising talent Raulian Paiva.

One can’t help but get the feeling Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) REALLY wants this fight. pic.twitter.com/PlM6Nb6dlx
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 10, 2021



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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC 269: Jorge Masvidal out of Leon Edwards fight, ‘Rocky’ wants Kamaru Usman

MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal. Photo: AP

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Leon Edwards is declared the winner by decision against Nate Diaz during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 268: Khamzat Chimaev ‘couple fights away’ from Kamaru Usman, says Dana White

Khamzat Chimaev punches Li Jingliang in their welterweight fight at UFC 267. Photo:= Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC 268: Colby Covington begs Dana White ‘let me end Jorge Masvidal’s career’

Colby Covington throws a punch against Kamaru Usman during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. Photo: Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports

Apr 24, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Kamaru Usman (Red Gloves) fights Jorge Masvidal (Blue Gloves) during UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 268: Kamaru Usman sneaks by Colby Covington to retain title, says ‘I’m pound-for-pound best alive’

Kamaru Usman celebrates after his decision victory over Colby Covington in their welterweight title bout at UFC 268. Photo: AFP

UFC: Henry Cejudo wants Kamaru Usman vs Israel Adesanya – ‘This is about legacy’

Kamaru Usman celebrates his win atop the octagon fence after a UFC 261 mixed martial arts bout against Jorge Masvidal in April, 2021. Photo: AP

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Israel Adesanya reacts following his victory against Marvin Vettori during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Undisclosed injury forces ‘Gamebred’ off long awaited December 11 card in Las Vegas
﻿﻿‘He was just a stop off on the way to the title,’ Briton says of Masvidal – ‘See you soon,’ he tells the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’



Jorge Masvidal is out of his UFC 269 welterweight fight with Leon Edwards, who was quick to shift his focus to the division’s dominating champion, Kamaru Usman.


Jorge Masvidal

UFC 269: Jorge Masvidal out of Leon Edwards fight, ‘Rocky’ wants Kamaru Usman

Undisclosed injury forces ‘Gamebred’ off long awaited December 11 card in Las Vegas ﻿﻿‘He was just a stop off on the way to the title,’ Briton says of Masvidal – ‘See you soon,’ he tells the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’

Undisclosed injury forces ‘Gamebred’ off long awaited December 11 card in Las Vegas

‘He was just a stop off on the way to the title,’ Briton says of Masvidal – ‘See you soon,’ he tells the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’