Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
Leon Edwards feels Rafael Dos Anjos was forced into accepting to fight him, and he will ultimately pay for that.
Leon Edwards is backing himself highly ahead of his fight against Rafael Dos Anjos this weekend, as he feels ‘RDA’ breaks against ‘younger’ and ‘hungrier’ fighters.
Edwards (17-3) is currently on a seven-fight winning streak in the UFC. His last two fights have been impressive decision wins over Gunnar Nelson and Donald Cerrone, and the 27-year-old will hope to stake his claim for a title shot this weekend with a win over ‘RDA.’
Talking to MMA Fighting, Edwards explained why he thinks Dos Anjos was ‘forced’ into accepting the fight, and that will ultimately come back to bite him.
“The UFC came to me and offered the fight for August 3 I think, I can’t remember what card, but they offered me the main event and I said yes,” Edwards said. “They offered him the fight and he said no, he needs more time. He turned it down first and then they came back to me a couple of weeks later and said what do you think about doing the main event in San Antonio, Tex. and I said yes again. I don’t know how but somehow he accepted the fight so here we are.
“I think they forced him into it and now he’ll pay. Now we’ll see who’s one of the best fighters in the world. This wasn’t his first option. Now he faces a young, hungry up and coming killer.”
Dos Anjos has gone 4-2 since moving up to welterweight after losing his UFC lightweight title. The Brazilian rebounded on consecutive decision losses to Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington by submitting Kevin Lee in April of this year. Edwards feels ‘RDA’ struggles against southpaws and bigger opponents, and therefore the Brit will have the advantage on the night.
“He’s done OK. Coming up and being the smaller man, he’s been OK. Once we get to the younger, hungrier guys, he always struggles. He struggles against bigger guys, against southpaws, that’s what I am.
“I feel like he’ll struggle against me again.” Edwards said.
UFC on ESPN 4 takes place this Saturday night, July 20th, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The welterweight fight between Dos Anjos and Edwards will headline the card.