Daniel Cormier recounts Leon Edwards' sparring session with Islam Makhachev on his first visit to the USA
UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division world champion Daniel Cormier recently sat down with UFC welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards ahead of UFC 304 this weekend. On his home turf of Manchester, England, 'Rocky' will defend his belt in a rematch with Belal 'Remember The Name' Muhammad.
'DC' and 'Rocky' have a long history as training partners and teammates at the American Kickboxing Academy in California. In the interview, Cormier reminded Edwards of the time he trained with him and his team nearly a decade ago, alongside UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.
'DC' said:
"You and I have spent time together in the gym. Obviously, we've known each other for a long time. You know what was brought to my attention recently? I never knew this. When you were with us training - the golden age, we had some hard days back then - Islam [Makhachev] said that the first sparring session he had off the plane was you. Do you remember that?"
Cormier added:
"That's crazy. Look at you two now - UFC Champions"
Watch the full interview here:
Leon Edwards expecting to pick up where he left off in first fight with Belal Muhammad
In the same interview, 'DC' asked Leon Edwards what he expects in this rematch with Belal Muhammad, considering their first bout ended due to an accidental eye poke in the second round.
Leon Edwards said (via Daniel Cormier's YouTube channel):
"Similar. Just carrying off from round one. Going forward. Obviously I think [of what] could be his [Muhammad's] gameplan, right? He's going to come out probably [to] wrestle more, probably. I feel I've faced wrestler better than Belal Muhammad, you know."
When asked if Muhammad felt strong in the first fight, Edwards said:
"Not really. Not that I haven't felt before. So I can't see what he brings to the table different from the first fight. He has improved a little bit, but I don't think he's improved enough to win the fight."