Leon Edwards backs featherweight contender to become next UFC champion from the United Kingdom
Despite being just the second-ever UFC champion from the UK, Leon Edwards believes that the surging Arnold Allen could be the next British fighter to capture gold.
'Rocky' shocked the world and simultaneously captured the welterweight title after knocking out Kamaru Usman in their UFC 278 headliner earlier this year. With less than a minute on the clock, the Brit delivered a beautifully executed head kick that finished 'The Nigerian Nightmare' and brought the title home to England.
Reacting to a Twitter post by UFC Europe, Leon Edwards labeled Arnold Allen "the next UK champ," claiming that he's going to win featherweight gold.
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In his most recent octagon appearance, Arnold Allen ignited the UFC London crowd and gained respect from fans after scoring a TKO victory over Dan Hooker early into the first round.
Unbeaten in his nine fights with the UFC, Arnold Allen is one of the promotion's most promising rising talents and seems to improve each and every time he steps foot into the octagon. At just 28-years-old, the Ipswich-born featherweight contender has plenty of time to improve his skills before hitting his prime inside the cage. He is a scary prospect considering how impressive he has been since making his UFC debut seven years ago.
With wins over some big names like Sodiq Yussuf, Gilbert Melendez, Nik Lentz, and the aforementioned Dan Hooker, 'Almighty' has proven that he can compete with elite competition inside the cage. Currently ranked at No.6 in the division, Allen must first get past the dangerous Calvin Kattar on October 29 before he can stake a claim at any potential title shot.
What's next for the new welterweight champion Leon Edwards?
Although he is flying the flag on his back for everyone in the United Kingdom, Leon Edwards is expected to be matched up in a trilogy clash against Kamaru Usman in the near future.
As they sit at 1-1 in their UFC series, the welterweight champion has granted his 35-year-old challenger the chance to reclaim his throne, but insists it must take place on his terms and in his home country.
While not many fighters have been gifted an instant rematch for their belt after such a vicious knockout loss, Usman's nine-year unbeaten run was enough to grant him this chance.
If Edwards is to beat the relentless wrestler in their third bout, he will likely be matched up against one of the top contenders at welterweight, with Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington being high on that list.