Khamzat Chimaev was impressed by Leon Edwards' last-minute comeback win against Kamaru Usman, but the rising star expects the new welterweight champion to avoid fighting him.

"That was an amazing performance," Chimaev said Wednesday, according to MMA Junkie's Farah Hannoun and Ken Hathaway. "(Edwards) showed his heart, and last minute he knocked him out. I'm happy for him. He deserved that. He worked hard.

"(But) he doesn't want to talk about me. I see somebody ask my name, and he just jumps over it and speak about (Nate) Diaz, speak about (Jorge) Masvidal, Usman, (Max) Holloway. (The) guy doesn't want to see my face."

Edwards has said he expects to face Usman in a trilogy bout next. He's also expressed interest in fighting Masvidal if his rival can get back to winning.

Masvidal and Edwards have appeared to be on an inevitable collision course since a backstage altercation in 2019.

Although Chimaev - who fights Diaz in the UFC 279 main event Saturday - said he believes Edwards will try to duck him now that he's champion, the two agreed to fight three separate times from December 2020 to March 2021. However, all three matchups were scrapped due to COVID-19.

While Usman is no longer the champion at 170 pounds, the undefeated Chimaev still hopes to face him someday.

"I hope he's healthy," Chimaev said. "We will see. I want to see him come back. If he comes back like he (was) before, I want to fight with that guy."