Tag: leon edwards

Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

UFC 310 no longer boasts two title fights as Belal Muhammad has pulled out of the main event because of a toe injury. While some fans want the newly crowned champion to be stripped for inactivity already, others are more concerned with finding a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov. Several contenders in the UFC welterweight […]

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UFC 310 no longer boasts two title fights as Belal Muhammad has pulled out of the main event because of a toe injury. While some fans want the newly crowned champion to be stripped for inactivity already, others are more concerned with finding a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Several contenders in the UFC welterweight division could benefit by stepping in and winning on UFC 310. Former champs Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman would want to re-enter the title race by beating a top prospect. On the other hand, fresh talents like Ian Garry, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena should be interested in securing their first title shots.

While discussing how UFC 310 should be dealt with, Michael Bisping pointed out that replacing Muhammad could help Edwards get his rematch quickly. “Rocky” gave the new champ his props after losing the welterweight belt at UFC 304 but also admitted to feeling fatigued due to the unusual timing.

Here’s why Bisping expects Edwards to take a risk by fighting Rakhmonov at UFC 310:

“For Leon Edwards, this does everything. You beat Shavkat Rakhmonov, you are the man. You step up, you are the man. You beat this man that’s finishing everybody. What does that do for you? Well, then you’re right back in the title conversation. In fact, you will be probably getting a rematch against Belal Muhammad.” He continued, “He wants to get his hands on Belal Muhammad once again. He wants to right the wrongs, he wants to prove to the world and himself that he’s the better man. But more importantly, to get back to becoming the welterweight champion of the world.”

Edwards holds two wins over Usman, and “The Count” claims beating an intimidating opponent with a 100% finish rate would be another feather in his cap. Additionally, a rematch with Muhammad in the United States would ensure he gets a chance to avenge his loss and fight at a more favorable time.

The former UFC champ understands that losing to “Nomad” is a huge risk for the English fighter as it would further extend his path back to the title. However, he thinks that the rewards outweigh the risks in this situation.

Bisping lastly called UFC 310 a great card regardless of the main event falling out. Like countless other fans, though, wouldn’t mind seeing the undefeated Rakhmonov put to the test again.

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Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

Fabian Edwards believes his brother, former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, was made to defend his title in “unfair” conditions this past summer. After withstanding challenges from both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, Edwards returned for his first assignment of 2024 three months ago. “Rocky” was tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of […]

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Fabian Edwards believes his brother, former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, was made to defend his title in “unfair” conditions this past summer.

After withstanding challenges from both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, Edwards returned for his first assignment of 2024 three months ago.

“Rocky” was tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Belal Muhammad on home soil, with their rematch headlining UFC 304 in Manchester, England this past July.

Edwards ultimately failed in that goal, with “Remember the Name” putting on a dominant display to extend his unbeaten run to 11 and ensure he exited the Co-op Live with the welterweight gold in his possession.

Fabian Edwards Laments Time For Brother’s UFC 304 Title Defense

During a recent interview with Bloody Elbow ahead of his own upcoming title fight, Fabian reflected on the end of his brother’s reign at the hands of Muhammad in Manchester.

The younger of the fighting siblings pointed to the 5 AM start time as a major factor in Leon’s defeat at UFC 304. The decision to keep timings on the US pay-per-view schedule is just the latest instance of “Rocky” being made to compete in “unfair situations,” according to Fabian.

“You know what it is? It was the time,” Fabian said. “I know everyone will say, ‘Oh, the time,’ or whatever, but most people couldn’t even stay awake until that time. So having to fight (for) a world title fight at that time? Come on. I’ve said it to everyone, how he performed in that fight was exactly how the last couple of weeks in training was. We were just like, putting it off because you do find things.

“That’s just the way it goes. Leon’s never had an easy path,” he continued. “Even once he became champion, he’s always had unfair situations given to him, but it is what it is. He will be back.”

It remains to be seen what lies next in the career of Leon Edwards, but he vowed to bounce back and “rise again” in his first post-fight remarks on social media.

For now, the UFC star will have his focus and energy on the exploits of his brother, as Fabian gets set for a second opportunity at dethroning Johnny Eblen in Saudi Arabia next weekend.

Continue Reading Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’ at MMA News.

VIDEO: Leon Edwards Teaches UK Comedians Rear-Naked Choke, Kick That KO’d Kamaru Usman

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards put two of the most well-known comedians in the United Kingdom through their paces. Edwards, who recorded two successful title defenses before being unseated from the throne by Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July, trains at the Team Renegade gym in Birmingham, England. While “Rocky” […]

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Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards put two of the most well-known comedians in the United Kingdom through their paces.

Edwards, who recorded two successful title defenses before being unseated from the throne by Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July, trains at the Team Renegade gym in Birmingham, England.

While “Rocky” remains its most high-profile fighter, the facility also houses notable names like upcoming Bellator title challenger Fabian Edwards and UFC lightweight Jai Herbert. Top UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen also frequently hits the mats there.

Earlier this year, however, Team Renegade had some…well, less athletic individuals within its walls…

Leon Edwards Shows Romesh Ranganathan & Rob Beckett The Ropes

UK comedians Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett paid a visit to Team Renegade to try their hand at mixed martial arts for an episode of their Rob & Romesh Vs television series on Sky. The show sees the duo tested in various realms outside of their comfort zone.

That includes learning to sprint with Olympic legend Usain Bolt, cooking in a restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, and writing music with Shania Twain. Undoubtedly the most brutal and perhaps physically demanding, though, was the Rob & Romesh Vs UFC episode.

Ranganathan and Beckett entered the cage with Edwards and his coach, Dave Lovell. The pair talked the comedians through various moves, including the rear-naked choke.

At one point, the UFC star locked Beckett into the move and drew out a humorous reaction as he applied pressure.

Edwards also guided the pair through the hard-hitting kick that saw him capture the welterweight title at the expense of Kamaru Usman back in 2022. Beckett compared the impact of Edwards’ kick on the pads to the sound of “a gun.”

They couldn’t quite repeat that when having a go themselves, with Ranganathan hilariously connecting to the pads with his toe rather than shin, leaving him in pain.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Leon Edwards Teaches UK Comedians Rear-Naked Choke, Kick That KO’d Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

Jorge Masvidal Continues Long-Standing Leon Edwards Feud: ‘I Will Whoop Your F**king Ass!’

Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal doesn’t appear keen to bury the hatchet with welterweight contender Leon Edwards anytime soon. Significant animosity has existed between Masvidal, a former two-time UFC title challenger, and Edwards, who was unseated from the throne just this past July, ever since a London-held UFC Fight Night in 2019. Both men emerged […]

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Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal doesn’t appear keen to bury the hatchet with welterweight contender Leon Edwards anytime soon.

Significant animosity has existed between Masvidal, a former two-time UFC title challenger, and Edwards, who was unseated from the throne just this past July, ever since a London-held UFC Fight Night in 2019.

Both men emerged victorious that night, with “Rocky” defeating Gunnar Nelson and “Gamebred” knocking out Darren Till in the main event. But the real talking point came in the aftermath backstage, where Masvidal and Edwards exchanged words before the former struck the Brit with a quick combination.

The Miami native later dubbed the strikes a “three piece and a soda.” But despite Edwards long vowing to get his revenge in the cage, they’re still yet to collide for a second time. That’s even despite and official booking in late 2021, which fell away after Masvidal pulled out due to a rib injury. And “Gamebred’s” subsequent retirement last year appeared to take away any chance of their feud reaching the Octagon.

Now, however, the 39-year-old has his sights set on a return. But while that could perhaps reignite talk of a long-awaited clash with Edwards, Masvidal expects the former champ to avoid him.

Masvidal Pitches Date For Edwards Fight, Suggests He ‘Don’t Want This’

During an interview with MMA Fighting, Masvidal reiterated his plans to bring his short-lived MMA retirement to an end,

In terms of the ambitions he still holds inside the Octagon, “Gamebred” would like to settle his unfinished business with Edwards, even pitching UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 7 as a possible fight date.

But in addition to the promotion seemingly not being onboard with that idea, Masvidal claims Edwards has no interest in throwing down with him.

“I know he wouldn’t fight me,” Masvidal said (h/t Damon Martin). “He got offered and turned it down. He don’t want this. I tried [to fight him]. Leon Edwards don’t want this. He had other options, he went for other things except fight me, basically. I’ll tell you that much.

“I’ll tell you right now, Leon, I will whoop your f*cking ass,” Masvidal continued. “Let’s f*cking go. I don’t know, maybe Dec. 7 in Vegas, maybe next year at the Super Bowl. I don’t know but I’ll beat the f*ck out of your little skinny ass.”

It remains to be seen if and when Masvidal will make his UFC comeback — and who could be chosen to welcome “Gamebred” back to the Octagon.

But the Miami native is seemingly preparing hard for it at the American Top Team facility. He recently got some work in with former Bellator champ Yaroslav Amosov, who has entered free agency and is rumored to be on his way to the UFC himself.

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Belal Muhammad Explains Why He’s Happy To Kick Leon Edwards When He’s Down

Belal Muhammad recently shared why he still relishes trading verbal jabs with Leon Edwards, even after securing a victory over “Rocky”. Muhammad scored a controlling unanimous decision win over Edwards, capturing the UFC welterweight crown in their much-anticipated rematch in Manchester this past July. The clash at UFC 304 was a re-run, as their first […]

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Belal Muhammad recently shared why he still relishes trading verbal jabs with Leon Edwards, even after securing a victory over “Rocky”.

Muhammad scored a controlling unanimous decision win over Edwards, capturing the UFC welterweight crown in their much-anticipated rematch in Manchester this past July.

The clash at UFC 304 was a re-run, as their first meeting in March 2021 ended in controversy when a brutal eye-poke from Edwards prevented “Remember the Name” from continuing past the second round, resulting in a no-contest.

Muhammad was riding an impressive 10-fight unbeaten streak, boasting victories over tough opponents like Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson. However, despite his dominant run, he had to tirelessly campaign for over a year to secure a title shot, as “Rocky” and his team continuously dismissed him as an unworthy challenger for the belt.

“Remember the Name” faced a barrage of criticism and skepticism throughout his journey, and since toppling Edwards at UFC 304, he hasn’t held back in voicing his disdain…

Muhammad’s Grudge Against Edwards Stems From Being Overlooked

During a recent interview with UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, Muhammad was questioned why he continues to take digs at Edwards even after decisively defeating him. The newly crowned welterweight champion explained that his frustration with the Jamaican-born Brit arose from being repeatedly dismissed in the title conversation.

Now that he’s beaten “Rocky”, Muhammad says Edwards’ teammates have begun making excuses, which only fuels his desire to keep taking shots at his former opponent.

“It got to me, it pissed me off,” Muhammad said. “And that’s why even now, where I hate to even bring up fights, when I beat a fighter, I never want to kick a man when he’s down. But Leon, I’ll kick when he’s down, I don’t care. I’m gonna make him pay because they said I wasn’t worth it, they said he was gonna walk through me, they said I was going to be an easy fight.”

“And for me to go out there and beat him the way I did, and now for him to go ghost—nobody even knows what happened to him—and for his team to come out with little excuses, like saying, ‘Oh, he had a bad back the whole time,’ and Leon comes out and says, ‘Oh, I didn’t get good sleep,’ like bro, just own up to it. I was better than you. I am better than you. That’s the difference between great fighters and the ones that fizzle out—they always come up with excuses for every loss.”

Since his recent victory, Muhammad has elevated his trash-talking game, regularly firing back at critics on social media. The 37-year-old Chicago native has also been locked in a heated war of words with former champion Kamaru Usman, stoking the flames for a potential showdown, while also teasing his first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

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Jorge Masvidal Reveals UFC Response After Requesting Leon Edwards Fight For Return

After his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 last year, Jorge Masvidal appeared to take his curtain call in MMA, retiring from competition after a lengthy career that featured a sudden rise to superstardom in 2019. But it now seems that Masvidal truly i…

Leon Edwards Jorge Masvidal

After his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 last year, Jorge Masvidal appeared to take his curtain call in MMA, retiring from competition after a lengthy career that featured a sudden rise to superstardom in 2019. But it now seems that Masvidal truly isn’t done with the sport. In a recent interview with ESPN’s […]

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