Jorge Masvidal claims Leon Edwards has "cold feet" about fighting him - "He doesn't want to lose in England again to me"
Jorge Masvidal has been the most vocal challenger for Leon Edwards' welterweight championship ever since he won it at UFC 278.
Edwards won in spectacular fashion by knocking out dominant champion Kamaru Usman in the last round of the fight. The come-from-behind knockout kick will go down in the annals of UFC history as one of the greatest finishes ever.
Watch Leon Edwards' incredible knockout victory:
Since then, 'Gamebred' has repeatedly called out Edwards and demanded a title shot despite having lost three straight fights in the welterweight division. Masvidal addressed the potential title fight against the champion in an interview with MMAFightingonSBN:
"Hopefully I'm kicking Leon's a** soon and then I get back in front of Usman, I get back in front of everybody. But, um, I don't know what's happening right now. Leon's, you know, getting a little cold feet. I don't know what it is, he doesn't want to lose in England again to me, so he's kinda ignoring my phone calls. "
Leon Edwards' first title defense is expected to go down in England. Dana White hinted at a blockbuster pay-per-view at the Wembley Stadium in London.
As per Jorge Masvidal, Edwards is looking to dodge him to avoid losing in front of his home crowd as the two got into a backstage altercation event on English soil at UFC Fight Night 147, back in 2019.
Check out Jorge Masvidal's full interview with MMAFightingonSBN below:
Leon Edwards thinks a fight with Conor McGregor is easier to make compared to one with Jorge Masvidal
However, champion Leon Edwards does have a say in a potential matchup against Jorge Masvidal.
'Rocky' spoke in an interview with Sky Sports about his upcoming fights. He wrote off Masvidal's claim to the title shot and mentioned Conor McGregor as a potential suitor:
“Conor [McGregor] would be one that would be easy to make. We’re managed by the same management team. If it’s the No. 1-contender then that’s what it is and if Masvidal can go out and get a big win then that’s a fight I want. I even said it, I’ll give him the belt before that though he doesn’t deserve it. I was acting off emotions. But whoever comes, the No. 1 contenders or the money fights, for me it doesn’t matter.”
McGregor's much awaited return to the UFC octagon could entail a move up to the welterweight division. Whenever he does return, there is plenty of interest from fighters across divisions to take him on.