ATT’s Jorge Masvidal out of UFC 269 fight with Leon Edwards

Jorge Masvidal pulled out of his fight with Leon Edwards at December 11th’s UFC 269, taking one of the company’s better pay-per-view draws off the show.

Masvidal cited an “undisclosed injury” for his withdrawal. Edwards said he was disappointed but “honestly I knew this fraud didn’t want to fight me anyway.”

Edwards and Masvidal first interacted two years ago after a UFC London event when Masvidal punched Edwards backstage, later delivering his famous “three piece and a soda” line. Edwards has been trying to get the fight ever since.

Several fighters have offered to take the spot against Edwards, a top contender for a welterweight title shot who is riding a ten-fight unbeaten streak.

Among them includes Khamzat Chimaev, a popular prospect who returned to action recently after a long bout with COVID-19 and picked up a dominant stoppage win. Belal Muhammad also threw his hat into the ring after his March fight with Edwards was stopped in the second round due to an accidental eye poke. Former title challenger Gilbert Burns also showed interest.

It’s unknown if UFC wants to keep Edwards on the card as it’s already co-headlined by lightweight champion Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier and women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes against Julianna Pena.

Masvidal’s teammates at American Top Team will be busy this Saturday in pro wrestling as they take part in a street fight match opposite Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle faction at AEW Full Gear.

Masvidal has been part of the angle between the two sides, knocking out Jericho with a running knee strike at the company’s Grand Slam event in Queens, New York. It’s unknown if Masvidal will appear Saturday and, given the injury, whether he could get physical if the situation arose.