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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight contender Leon Edwards has won eight straight fights in the stacked 170-pound weight class and is currently ranked No. 3 in the division, so it’s high time “Rocky” gets an opportunity to prove he’s worthy of a title shot.
He just needs somebody to say yes.
“UFC wanted the (Masvidal) fight,” Edwards told MMA Fighting. “They offered it to him and he turned it down. He said he’d rather fight Nate Diaz. I don’t understand it. He claims he wants to get back to the title shot and fight for a world championship. I don’t understand what fighting a person like Nate Diaz will get you? I don’t know, I don’t know where his head’s at.”
Masvidal may have blown his opportunity to capitalize on this, but it sounds like Edwards, 29, is also ready to take on Colby Covington if the promotion won’t give him the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns, who are expected to collide later this year.
“Logically, it has to be title shot No. 1, Colby or Masvidal,” Edwards continued. “I think those are the fights that make sense. I’ve done all the other fights. I’m on an eight-fight win streak now. I’ve done all the RDA’s and ‘Cowboy’s. I truly believe now I deserve a big name.”
After coronavirus scratched his showdown against Tyron Woodley, Edwards was forced to play the waiting game as the welterweight division started getting booked around him. In addition, Woodley has since fallen out of the Top 5.
“I deserve a No. 1 contender shot if not the title shot right now,” Edwards said. “Those are the only fights to me that make sense for one of these guys stepping up and fighting. Anyone out of that order wouldn’t do nothing for my career or propel me forward.”
I guess it’s time to consider this offer from Ben Askren.