Bookies have released betting odds on Leon Edwards next opponent, with longtime nemesis Jorge Masvidal and UFC champion Kamaru Usman leading the pack.
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, fresh off his unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 263, has done more than enough to earn a 170-pound title shot, thanks to nine straight wins (and one “No Contest”) dating back to late 2015.
But the promotion wants reigning division kingpin Kamaru Usman to first run it back with longtime nemesis Colby Covington, and that fight has yet to be signed, so Edwards may be forced to take another fight while waiting for his crack at the crown.
And the bookies at BetOnline have a familiar face atop the list of potential opponents.
Jorge Masvidal: 3/1
Kamaru Usman: 3/1
Khamzat Chimaev: 4/1
Gilbert Buns: 11/2
Stephen Thompson: 11/2
Michael Chiesa: 9/1
Vicente Luque: 9/1
Belal Muhammad: 10/1
Three rounds and a soda?
Edwards and Masvidal had a backstage altercation at UFC London back in March 2019 (see it again here). Instead of booking them to fight, matchmakers instead sent “Gamebred” into battle against Ben Askren, while “Rocky” was paired up with Rafael dos Anjos.
Fast-forward to 2021 and Masvidal, 36, is coming off back-to-back losses to Usman.