The 5 biggest UFC fights that were canceled in 2021

2021 spoiled UFC fans with a wealth of big matchups. However, the year also saw massive fights slip through fans' fingers as bouts fell through due to injuries or fighters testing positive for COVID-19.

Given the rigorous training they go through, fighters having to pull out due to injury is something MMA fans have become accustomed to over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to make fight cards increasingly fluid, with fighters regularly having to pull out right at the last minute.

In the modern era, there are so many fights on a given UFC card that losing a single bout does not tend to make too much of a difference. However, occasionally main and co-main events fall off the card, leaving a real void in their absence. Sadly, 2021 saw a number of these instances.

Often, big fights can be re-scheduled for a later date to keep important matchups in tact. However, this list will exclusively feature those that were canceled, with the UFC moving on to other options and eventually leaving fans wondering 'What if?'

Here are the five biggest UFC fights that were canceled in 2021:

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#5. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards - UFC Fight Night 185 & 187

Chimaev withdrew due to lingering affects of COVID-19

Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards were originally scheduled to fight back in December 2020. On that occasion, Edwards' battle with COVID-19 left him unable to compete. In 2021, however, it was Chimaev's problems with the virus that caused the bout to be canceled repeatedly.

When Chimaev was unable to fight at UFC Fight Night 187, Edwards instead faced Belal Muhammad. The bout ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke from Edwards in the second round. Thankfully, both men have been able to bounce back with important victories since then.

Edwards went on to defeat Nate Diaz via unanimous decision at UFC 263 in June. Chimaev returned after his battle with COVID-19 and earned his first ranked win with a first round submission of Li Jingliang in October.

With both men's stocks continuing to rise in 2021, should the duo be matched up again in the future, the fight will be even more highly anticipated than before.

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#4. Darren Till vs. Marvin Vettori - UFC on ABC 2

Till withdrew from the bout with a broken collarbone

Darren Till was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on April 10th on the UFC on ABC 2 card. The bout would've been an important one in the middleweight division. It would have likely determined the next challenger to take on Israel Adesanya for UFC gold.

However, on March 30th, Till was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a broken collarbone. Kevin Holland stepped in as his replacement and Vettori secured a unanimous decision victory, earning himself a title shot in the process.

Since then, Vettori lost his title fight with Adesanya but rebounded with a win over Paulo Costa. Till went on to lose to Derek Brunson and still appears to be struggling with injuries. Should the British fighter pick up one victory, we could conceivably see Till vs. Vettori in 2022.

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#3. Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker - UFC on ESPN 22

Costa withdrew from the bout due to illness

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was scheduled to face former title challenger Paulo Costa on April 17th. On March 16th, Costa withdrew with an illness and Kelvin Gastelum stepped in to replace him.

While fans missed out on a huge fight in the middleweight division, Whittaker was able to defeat Gastelum via unanimous decision and set up a rematch for the title against Israel Adesanya next year. Costa eventually recovered and fought Marvin Vettori in October, but suffered a second consecutive loss in the process.

Costa missed weight for the bout against Vettori and may now be forced into a move up to the light heavyweight division. Whittaker, on the other hand, will have a shot at regaining his middleweight title in February.

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#2. Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan II - UFC 267

Sterling withdrew from the bout with a neck injury

The rematch for the UFC bantamweight championship between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan was scheduled for October 30th. The first bout between the pair ended in controversial fashion when 'No Mercy' lost his title to 'Funk Master' after being disqualified for landing an illegal knee at UFC 269.

Missing out on a title fight is always a big loss. However, it was made worse here, as fans wanted a more satisfying resolution to their rivalry than what the first fight delivered. Sadly, the bout was canceled after Sterling withdrew from the rematch due to lingering neck issues.

Fans are hoping that we'll eventually receive a conclusion to this rivalry in 2022, as the bout is being targeted for next March. The fight will be a unification bout this time as Petr Yan won the UFC interim bantamweight title after defeating Sterling's replacement Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267.

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#1. Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards - UFC 269

Masvidal withdrew from the bout due to injury

The "three-piece and a soda" rivalry between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards that started in March 2019 was to be settled this year on December 11th. The matchup between these two elite welterweights with legitimate dislike for each other had MMA fans everywhere excited. Sadly it never came to fruition.

Masvidal withdrew from the bout in November. Instead of pursuing a replacement bout, Leon Edwards understandably chose not to fight as he may very well be next in line to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship.

It is a little less clear what is next for Jorge Masvidal, although a grudge match with former team and roommate Colby Covington may be next up.

In any case, hopefully at some point down the line fans will get to see Masvidal and Edwards finally settle their differences inside the octagon.