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“It’s very weird. In the history of the sport I’ve never known someone to turn down a title shot.”
For the life of him, Leon Edwards can’t understand why Jorge Masvidal won’t fight Kamaru Usman.
Masvidal and Usman were expected to meet in a welterweight title bout earlier this year but, after stalled negotiations, ‘Gamebred’ has turned his attention towards Nate Diaz, who Masvidal originally beat to win the ‘BMF’ title at UFC 244.
Speaking to LowKickMMA in a recent interview, ‘Rocky’ said that he is more than willing to step in and challenge Usman, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, if Masvidal isn’t up to task.
“It’s weird,” Edwards said. “It’s very weird. In the history of the sport I’ve never known someone to turn down a title shot. Like, literally running away from a title shot, it’s weird. He’s either outbidding himself or just now saying he’s fighting (Nate) Diaz. I know he’s probably a bigger name but as far as technically when it’s all said and done you want to be a champion don’t you? And he does want to be a world champion so it’s weird, I don’t know, I don’t know how to take it.”
“I am 100 percent next in line. Dana (White) came out yesterday, or the day before and said the Conor (McGregor) fight isn’t happening. It’s either me, Masvidal or Colby (Covington). I don’t know why he put Colby in there because Colby aint getting nothing. It’s just us two really. Either me or Masvidal is going to get the shot. I’ve done enough work to deserve a shot and I cannot wait.”
Edwards didn’t give a specific timeline for his return but is hoping for a title shot this summer.
“At the moment they (UFC) are saying it’s either Colby or a title shot. I know Colby got kicked out of his gym, so he probably won’t fight now for a while. So, I think it’s going to be a title shot, hopefully, this summer.”
Edwards is on an impressive eight-fight win streak and ranked #4 in the UFC welterweight division. The Brit hasn’t fought since his unanimous decision win over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN 4 last summer.