In Photos: Leon Edwards looks shredded as he puts in the hard yards ahead of UFC 304 title fight
Leon Edwards has one of the most important fights of his career next weekend, and based on his recent Instagram posts, he is taking it as seriously as he ever has. The Englishman is scheduled to headline UFC 304, where he defends his UFC welterweight title against Belal Muhammad.
Not only is it a title defense against a top contender, but it is his first title defense on English soil. Edwards, it seems, is leaving nothing up to chance, as he shared a recent Instagram collage of his training sessions, and he looks to be in optimal physical condition.
Conditioning has always been one of Edwards' priorities, as he always exhibits top-tier fitness in most of his bouts. The only time his physical fitness appeared to be lacking was when he first challenged Kamaru Usman for welterweight gold at UFC 278, where his cardio failed him. However, that fight had an X-factor.
His initial title bout with Usman took place at high elevation in Salt Lake City, Utah. So, his performance was hampered by an uncommon variable, which wasn't the case when the two rematched each other at UFC 286. Nevertheless, he takes on another relentless cardio machine in Muhammad next weekend.
The Palestinian-American has been on a tear, having authored a 10-fight unbeaten streak, consisting of a four-fight win streak, one no-contest against Edwards in their initial bout, and a five-fight win streak which saw him score wins over the previously unbeaten Sean Brady and a former title challenger in Gilbert Burns.
Leon Edwards' physical fitness has been key in his last few fights
After Leon Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman in a comeback for the ages, there were questions asked about his cardio. However, he has since answered them in spades, outworking 'The Nigerian Nightmare' in their trilogy bout and subsequently outworking known cardio machine Colby Covington in their fight.
Check out Leon Edwards outwrestling Colby Covington:
Now, he will take on the latest tireless wrestler in Belal Muhammad, who has punctuated the buildup to their fight with relentless trash talk and bold claims over how he believes he will dominate 'Rocky' come fight night.