Edwards says Chimaev is overhyped: 'I've done everything he's done'

Leon Edwards isn't impressed by Khamzat Chimaev's body of work.

The welterweight contender is slated to face Chimaev, one of the sport's hottest prospects, in the UFC Fight Night main event Dec. 19.

"I believe he's overhyped," Edwards told ESPN's Ariel Helwani. "It's hard to judge him. ... The competition he's faced is pretty low.

"I was once 9-0 in my career. I had an eight-second knockout in the UFC," Edwards continued. "I've done everything he's done."

Chimaev made a splash in his first three UFC bouts, dominating two opponents in the span of 10 days before finishing Gerald Meerschaert with a 17-second knockout in September.

Edwards agreed to face Chimaev after being uninterested in fights against Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal because he thinks a victory over Chimaev will secure him a 170-pound title shot.

When asked if the UFC had told him he would get a title shot if he beats Chimaev, Edwards said it was "mentioned."

"If I fought 'Wonderboy,' it does nothing for my career," he added. "I feel I'd be in the same position that I'm in now. ... The way they're building up Khamzat, I can't see what they can say after this."

Edwards believes the UFC will be rooting for his opponent come Dec. 19.

"Yeah, for sure. 100%," Edwards said. "I feel like they've been doing that for the last eight fights. They want me to lose, but I cannot be beat."