UFC champion Leon Edwards shares plan of action for Jorge Masvidal to secure a crack at his title
Leon Edwards has set down the conditions for a potential fight against long-time rival Jorge Masvidal.
At UFC 286, 'Rocky' put on the performance of his career as he defended his belt successfully against future Hall of Famer Kamaru Usman. Many believed Edwards would fall short against Usman in their trilogy fight.
However, the Brit showed how much he has improved since becoming champion and held on to his belt. During the post-fight press conference, he spoke about a potential fight against Masvidal:
"Yeah, I just don't like him you know, so I feel like that's the one that I need to get back. I feel like there's a storyline there, to tell. So yeah, if he get's the job done, I'll have a look, I'll consider it, and if he begs me then I might let him slide in here."
Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal have a checkered past. The pair were involved in a backstage brawl in which the Brit was on the receiving end of a few punches. Since then, the pair have looked to fight each other in the octagon. Now that Edwards is the champion, he gets a say on who he fights next, and he may look to get revenge on 'Gamebred', inside the octagon.
Watch the interview below:
Leon Edwards says it would be very unfair if Colby Covington got a title shot next
Leon Edwards has spoken out about how unfair it would be if Colby Covington got a title shot next. Despite being the #2 ranked welterweight in the division, Covington has not fought in over a year.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Edwards spoke about how Covington would have to earn a title shot and wait for it the same way he did:
"There's no way you get beat by the guy I just beat twice (Kamaru Usman). When that guy beats Masvidal, and then sits out for a year and a half, not even tweeting or nothing, just go missing for a year and then randomly pops in at the weigh-ins and be like okay, he's fighting for the title next....He has to go out there and earn his way like I did, like I had to do."
Leon Edwards also revealed that the pair had matched up three times before and even though he agreed to the fight, Covington denied it. He believes 'Chaos' should fight Khamzat Chimaev next.
Watch the interview below: