“Rocky” just sank a one-in-a-million bank shot? Randomly, while running through the park? On the week he’s set to headline a UFC event? Amazing.
Leon Edwards is getting some serious hype coming into his UFC 304 title defense this weekend (Sat., July 27, 2024) against Belal Muhammad in Manchester, England. But, it may be for something that didn’t even really happen.
“Rocky” is still in the process of building his star, even in his home country of England. Hardcore mixed martial arts (MMA) fans appreciate him after he knocked out Kamaru Usman to win the title in 2022 (watch it), but his technical style hasn’t generated much excitement amongst the casuals.
Perhaps sometimes you got to sink an impossible trick shot in a viral video for that to happen?!?!?!
This is the craziest Leon Edwards video ever. pic.twitter.com/fH3Cedgeah
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 22, 2024
In a new series of videos posted to social media, Edwards is out for a run and approaches some friends playing basketball. One throws the ball toward Edwards, who punts it across the court … right into the net! Everyone goes wild, and “Rocky” drops his trademark, “Boom, headshot! Dead.”
The chances of Edwards pulling this off: obviously very low. The chances of this being a fake viral video designed to pump up “Rocky” on UFC 304 fight week? Obviously, very high.
We don’t have the evidence to prove it’s fake at this point, mind you. We’ll have to wait until after UFC 304 for some ad agency to come out and admit it, like when Francis Ngannou shattered a convenience store door with his mighty strength.
But, that’s probably what’s going to happen.
Fan’s POV: pic.twitter.com/cswEqb6p8R
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 22, 2024
Hey, we ain’t even mad. It’s about time someone got behind some of UFC’s less conventionally popular athletes and started trying to promote them in unconventional ways. In 2024, that includes videos like this that could travel far beyond the circle of combat sports.
Edwards brings his 12-fight win streak into UFC 304, direct from the Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Beating the Khabib Nurmagomedov-trained Muhammad will be no slam dunk, but he’s very capable of pulling it off … for real.
To checkout UFC 304’s latest fight card and rumors click here.