Leon Edwards believes he should be fighting for the title next against Kamaru Usman. Although they have fought before, the Englishman is not impressed with the champ’s skills. Looking back on the first fight, Edwards says he is a much different fighter and knows he can beat Usman. Why? Well, he says he is a […]
Leon Edwards believes he should be fighting for the title next against Kamaru Usman. Although they have fought before, the Englishman is not impressed with the champ’s skills.
Looking back on the first fight, Edwards says he is a much different fighter and knows he can beat Usman. Why? Well, he says he is a better striker, better at jiu-jitsu and his takedown defense will play a factor.
“I went into the fight with a defensive mind state. I was more thinking about not getting taken down more than what I want to do to him. For that fight, it was more mental for me, than anything,” Edwards said to BJPENN.com. “Obviously, I’ve improved leaps and bounds in my technique. I believe I will go out there and beat him. I’ll better him wherever the fight goes. I am a better striker than him, I am better at jiu-jitsu. He’s a great wrestler, but so am I. So, I believe I will beat him. That fight, I was just young… I’m a totally different human being from then, and I believe I will get the job done.”
“I don’t know, ‘cos they’re both similar fighters. They’re both the same thing: mediocre strikers, (they’ve got) wrestling, (but) shit jiu-jitsu,” he explained. “They’re both the same kind of fighters but probably Usman. I think he’s got a little more power and strength then Colby.”
Would you want to see Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman?
The war of words between Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal appear to have no end in sight. Back in March, things got physical between Edwards and Masvidal. Both men competed in separate bouts on the UFC London card. Masvidal earned a knockout win over Da…
The war of words between Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal appear to have no end in sight. Back in March, things got physical between Edwards and Masvidal. Both men competed in separate bouts on the UFC London card. Masvidal earned a knockout win over Darren Till, while Edwards took a decision victory over Gunnar Nelson. […]
Leon Edwards recently claimed that Jorge Masvidal turned down a fight with him. However, his manager, Ibrahim Kawa, shot down that notion, claiming a title shot was already negotiated to be Masvidal’s next bout. Masvidal himself got the opportunity to respond to Edwards’ claims during a media scrum as a guest fighter at UFC Uruguay […]
Leon Edwards recently claimed that Jorge Masvidal turned down a fight with him. However, his manager, Ibrahim Kawa, shot down that notion, claiming a title shot was already negotiated to be Masvidal’s next bout.
Masvidal himself got the opportunity to respond to Edwards’ claims during a media scrum as a guest fighter at UFC Uruguay yesterday (Sat. August 10, 2019). “Gamebred” told MMA Fighting the UFC hasn’t sent him anything with mention of Edwards on it. He also vowed a fight with the Englishman will happen. But it’ll be on his own terms.
“The UFC hasn’t put a contract in front of my face with Leon’s anything,” Masvidal said. “Because they know we’re not about petty sh*t. I’m only looking up. I already – when they first offered me the fight in England, I said, ‘who’s the best guy that I can get my hands on over there?’
“They said [Darren] Till. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ And what did I do? I got in a f*cking plane, I went over there and gave it all I had. A fight, I like to fight. Leon, then was sh*t, still is sh*t, in my opinion. I’m going to kick his ass. It’s not going to be on his terms or whenever the f*ck he wants it. It’ll always be on mine, and that’s what bothers him so much inside.
“He’s gotta look at this interview, or people are going to call him and tell him – you’re a f*cking nobody. I run this show, you listen to me. When I say I’m going to kick your f*cking ass, I’ll kick your f*cking ass. I’m gonna get paid now, like I said, 16 years I’ve been chasing this dream of getting the belt. You think I’m going to let some f*cking bug like this guy even slightly throw me off my road, my destiny, towards my greatness towards the belt?
“I’m going to get the belt, and I’m going to eliminate him off the face of the earth. I’m going to wipe the floor with that guy. It’s going to happen, I swear to you it’s going to happen, it’s just not going to be on his terms.”
Edwards, while not a majorly popular name in the welterweight division, is still one of the best at the weight class. He is currently on an impressive eight-fight win streak over notable names such as Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson, and Rafael dos Anjos. However, Masvidal is glad many consider Edwards to be a skilled fighter. It’ll make the victory that much sweeter for the Floridian.
“I’m so happy,” Masvidal said. “I’m so happy that he’s winning, and I’m so happy that maybe somebody might think that he’s a fight worthy – because everybody was saying Ben [Askren] was an amazing fighter before I fought him and all this grappling stuff. But after I five-seconded his ass, they’re saying he was overrated.
“I want them to say the same thing. I’m going to beat Leon so bad they’re going to say the same sh*t about him. They’re going to say he’s overrated. There’s not one bone in my body, there’s not nothing in my body that is not agreeing with what I’m saying, I’m going to murder that guy when we fight. He’s a scrub – you are a scrub Leon and you f*cking know it.
“And the fight will take place when the f*ck I say so. So sit there and eat that f*cking words. Ugh, I’m gonna break that guy’s face, man. Interviews are over, man. You guys got me all f*cking hyped up for nothing, man.”
Masvidal comes off back-to-back knockout victories over some of the welterweight division’s elite. It started with Darren Till earlier this year, who Masvidal knocked unconscious in the second round of their UFC London showdown. He followed that up with a record-breaking finish at UFC 239 that shook the mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
The undefeated Ben Askren was handed the first loss of his career when Masvidal nailed him with a flying knee right out the gate. Askren shot in on an immediate takedown, and Masvidal was ready for it, brilliantly countering with a knee that put “Funky” out cold in five seconds.
It marked the fastest knockout in UFC history. Now, Masvidal is holding out for a title shot, or a big-money fight. It remains to be seen who the UFC matches him up with next.
What do you make of Masvidal’s response to Edwards? Do you want to see them fight?
Jorge Masvidal didn’t mince words when discussing a potential showdown with Leon Edwards. It’s clear that Masvidal and Edwards aren’t pals. In fact, they are quite the opposite. Back in March, the two were involved in a backstage inci…
Jorge Masvidal didn’t mince words when discussing a potential showdown with Leon Edwards. It’s clear that Masvidal and Edwards aren’t pals. In fact, they are quite the opposite. Back in March, the two were involved in a backstage incident following UFC London. During Masvidal’s interview with Laura Sanko, Edwards exchanged words with “Gamebred.” The two […]
Colby Covington is next in line to fight Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title. However, the next man up after “Chaos” already seems to be set. Earlier today, Leon Edwards claimed that Jorge Masvidal turned down a fight with him. However, Masvidal’s manager, Ibrahim Kawa, took to Twitter and labeled such claims as “fake […]
Colby Covington is next in line to fight Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title. However, the next man up after “Chaos” already seems to be set.
Earlier today, Leon Edwards claimed that Jorge Masvidal turned down a fight with him. However, Masvidal’s manager, Ibrahim Kawa, took to Twitter and labeled such claims as “fake news.” Kawa called the Englishman’s comments a “desperate” attempt and claimed Masvidal already has a title shot negotiated.
“#fakenews we were never offered a fight with Leon as we already negotiated a title shot after the askren win. This is a desperate attempt. Yes Jorge next fight is for the title. as for “demands” it can’t be a demand if it was already agreed to before he fought askren. Thanks”
#fakenews we were never offered a fight with Leon as we already negotiated a title shot after the askren win. This is a desperate attempt. Yes Jorge next fight is for the title. as for “demands” it can’t be a demand if it was already agreed to before he fought askren. Thanks https://t.co/gwFdTe8gGC
Edwards responded to Kawa’s claims and called him a liar, claiming he was trying to “protect your boy.”
“shut your lying mouth you fat f*ck. stop trying to protect your boy and stop your desperate attempts to be tough on twitter your quiet as a mouse in person”
shut your lying mouth you fat fuck. stop trying to protect your boy and stop your desperate attempts to be tough on twitter your quiet as a mouse in person
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) August 8, 2019
A fan pointed out on Twitter that Covington has already been promised the next shot at Usman. Kawa acknowledged this before noting that, just because Covington is next in line, doesn’t mean Masvidal’s next fight won’t be for the title.
“He is. We knew this and are ok with it. Jorge next fight will be for the title. Doesn’t mean he is next for the title”
He is. We knew this and are ok with it. Jorge next fight will be for the title. Doesn’t mean he is next for the title
Jorge Masvidal’s manager is denying claims made by Leon Edwards. Masvidal’s next bout is unclear. “Gamebred” is riding a wave of momentum following his record-setting knockout victory over Ben Askren last month. His manager, Abr…
Jorge Masvidal’s manager is denying claims made by Leon Edwards. Masvidal’s next bout is unclear. “Gamebred” is riding a wave of momentum following his record-setting knockout victory over Ben Askren last month. His manager, Abraham Kawa, recently turned some heads when he said Masvidal will only take a UFC welterweight title bout, or a showdown […]