Streaking UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, the Susan Lucci of MMA, may once again get passed over for a 170-pound title shot (against the winner of this fight) after fellow top contender Vicente Luque dazzled promotion president Dana White at UFC 265.
“Not only did he beat Michael Chiesa, but when he went for that choke, I was like, ‘Why are you trying to submit Michael Chiesa? Get back on your feet!’” White told reporters at the UFC 265 post-fight press conference (watch it). “He got it. He did it. I love to watch that kid fight. He’s exciting. He’s a killer, and I look forward to what’s next for him. You can’t talk about all the top guys in the world without talking about Luque.”
Even the champ was impressed.
“You looked great my man we might be dancing soon,” Usman wrote on Twitter.
Luque, currently ranked No. 6 at 170 pounds, will likely climb the welterweight ladder after submitting Michael Chiesa at UFC 265 last Sat. night (Aug. 7) in Houston. But was his performance against “Maverick” enough for the Brazilian to leapfrog the No. 3-ranked Edwards?
“I’m one of the most, if not the most exciting welterweight right now,” Luque told the media after his fight. “I’m showing everybody what I can do. I finish every single fight. My fights are exciting. And for that reason, I think I do deserve a title fight. I’m the only guy up there in the top five that hasn’t fought the champion, that hasn’t challenged Kamaru for a fight. He still has a fight ahead of him, but I believe he’ll win that fight. If he does, I think I would be a great challenge.”
Edwards, who defeated Luque at UFC Fight Night 107, remains unimpressed.
— Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) August 8, 2021
Sounds like matchmakers have some tough decisions to make.