Edwards dismisses rankings removal, turns attention to Chimaev

The UFC removed Leon Edwards from its official rankings on Thursday due to inactivity, and the welterweight contender was quick to dismiss the update.

"I'm still in the rankings," Edwards wrote on Twitter. "F--- all the inactivity. The only reason I haven't fought is because all these so-called top guys turned me down."

Edwards hasn't stepped into the Octagon since beating Rafael dos Anjos in July 2019. He was scheduled to face Tyron Woodley in March, but the fight was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Rocky" has called out several top contenders in recent months, including Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns, but those fights haven't materialized. He also declined bouts with Colby Covington, Geoff Neal, and Khamzat Chimaev, which led to his removal from the welterweight standings, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

But Edwards seems to be interested in a clash with Chimaev after all.

"Khamzat, want to fight then?" Edwards wrote.

Chimaev, the UFC's hottest prospect, is expected to headline the Dec. 19 event, but the promotion has yet to finalize an opponent. Neil Magny said he would take the fight, but the UFC isn't interested in that bout, Helwani reports.

Chimaev responded to Edwards' message less than an hour later.

"I'm always ready to fight," Chimaev wrote. "Let's go."

Edwards was the No. 3-ranked welterweight before the newest update. The Brit is riding an eight-fight winning streak.