Tag: leon edwards

Sean Strickland touts ability to win UFC title against Leon Edwards: ‘I legitimately think I could win the belt’

Sean Strickland claims he could win a UFC title at welterweight Leon EdwardsSean Strickland may be a middleweight contender at the moment, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t win a 170lb title if he wanted, according to him. Bouncing back against Nadim Imarov most recently, Strickland had hit a rough patch in form, losing to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier back-to-back. Previous to this, Strickland was on […]

Sean Strickland claims he could win a UFC title at welterweight Leon Edwards

Sean Strickland may be a middleweight contender at the moment, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t win a 170lb title if he wanted, according to him.

Bouncing back against Nadim Imarov most recently, Strickland had hit a rough patch in form, losing to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier back-to-back. Previous to this, Strickland was on a 6-fight win streak at 185 lbs and was undefeated in the division. He did, however, have a less memorable run at 170lbs, complete with a ponytail and trimmed-down physique.

6-3 in the welterweight division, Sean Strickland lost to the likes of Kamaru Usman and Santiago Ponzinibio before making the jump up. He likes to think though, that should he return to the division, he would be king.

So what’s stopping him?

His love of being fat.

Sean Strickland talks welterweight

Sean Strickland warns Israel Adesanya of Alex Pereira don't let that motherf*cker touch you
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“If I went back down to welterweight, I legitimately think that I could win the belt. I’m not fighting guys that are six (foot) eight. But, at welterweight, I hate f*cking life,” Strickland said. “I’m a miserable motherf*cker. At middleweight, I’m fat, I’m happy. I had a f*cking cheeseburger for breakfast you guys, I’m a happy motherf*cker.”

Instead of the 170lb move, it seems far more likely that Sean Strickland may headline an event as a 205lb fighter if his Twitter is anything to go by.

With Strickland being so active, he is quickly running out of fresh challenges at middleweight. Other than champion Israel Adesanya, nothing else seems overly appealing to the Las Vegas resident at 185 lbs. Known as being forever game for a scrap, regardless of opponent, it would be no surprise to see him duking it out at light-heavyweight in the near future.

Who would you want to see Sean Strickland fight first at light-heavyweight?

(Quote Originally transcribed by MMANews.com)

Stephen Thompson eyes UFC title run, win over Leon Edwards: ‘I could be there too’

Stephen Thompson eyes title run win over UFC Leon EdwardsVeteran former welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson claims he has received inspiration from the championship reign of division gold holder, Leon Edwards – insisting he could eventually land a title himself. Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return at UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week against […]

Stephen Thompson eyes title run win over UFC Leon Edwards

Veteran former welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson claims he has received inspiration from the championship reign of division gold holder, Leon Edwards – insisting he could eventually land a title himself.

Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return at UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week against dynamic Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira. 

Last time out, the Simpsonville striker headlined UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December of last year against recent winner, Kevin Holland – securing an eventual fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO win over the Riverside striker. 

The win propelled Thompson back to the winner’s enclosure, following back-to-back decision losses against both Gilbert Burns, and Belal Muhammad. 

Stephen Thompson eyes one more UFC title run

Competing twice for undisputed welterweight gold in losing efforts against then-champion, Tyron Woodley back in 2016, and 2017, Thompson admitted Birmingham native, Edwards’ title victory has inspired him to make a run for the welterweight crown again.

“It actually gives me inspiration,” Stephen Thompson told MMA Junkie of Leon Edwards’ title success. “With Leon (Edwards) being predominantly a striker and being a champ right now. It’s awesome. His takedown defense is really good; his takedowns are good – but he’s predominantly known as a striker. It does give me inspiration knowing that he’s the champ, that I could be there too.” 

“After those last two losses, I’m gonna have to do some work in order to get back to fighting to somebody higher than me,” Stephen Thompson explained. “I think a good win over Kevin (Holland) and a good win over Michel Pereira, the next fight after that I could definitely be fighting somebody in the top five. And that’s the goal, to go for that title run again, and I still feel I have the ability and youthfulness to do so.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

As for Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion has turned down the possibility of returning at a UFC London event in July, preferring the opportunity to sit out until an expected UFC 294 card in October on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Leon Edwards doubts he sees UFC title stripped after turning down July return: ‘There’s no fight offer’

Leon Edwards doubts he'll be stripped of UFC title there's no fight offerLeon Edwards has ruled out a potential return to the Octagon in July. After successfully defending his UFC welterweight title against Kamaru Usman last month, news began to break that ‘Rocky’ would return in July for a showdown with No. 2 ranked contender Colby Covington. However, Leon Edwards has already ruled out that possibility, suggesting […]

Leon Edwards doubts he'll be stripped of UFC title there's no fight offer

Leon Edwards has ruled out a potential return to the Octagon in July.

After successfully defending his UFC welterweight title against Kamaru Usman last month, news began to break that ‘Rocky’ would return in July for a showdown with No. 2 ranked contender Colby Covington. However, Leon Edwards has already ruled out that possibility, suggesting that it’s far too early to consider another title defense after closing out his trilogy with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ at UFC 286.

“July is 100 percent too soon,” Edwards told MMA Fighting on Thursday. “I fought in March, just under a month ago, and I’m still dealing with injuries and stuff that I had to deal with before I even consider getting back into a training camp. If I’m fighting in July, that means I’m going back into training camp next week, and that’s just not possible.

“I will look toward the back end of the year. I would love to do Abu Dhabi in October. I think that would be a great time frame for me to compete, but there’s actually no clear No. 1 contender. There’s no one actually out there that’s actually earned it. There’s guys coming off two losses, one win. There’s guys that [have] one win, one loss. It’s a difficult time in the welterweight division. So now I’ve just got to look towards business. I will sit back, talk to the UFC, talk to my team, and see what’s best.”

Leon Edwards Doesn’t Buy Colby Covington as the Next Man in Line

Leon Edwards may not see anyone deserving of a welterweight title opportunity, but Dana White clearly disagrees. During the UFC 286 post-fight press event, the UFC President revealed that Colby Covington was deserving of a shot at the 170-pound crown. After getting some pushback from Leon Edwards, and the rest of the MMA world, White doubled down on his comments, confirming that ‘Chaos’ would be next for ‘Rocky’ regardless of what the champ thinks.

That decision is especially perplexing when you consider that Colby Covington is 2-2 in his last four bouts with the two losses coming in title fights against Kamaru Usman, the man Leon Edwards just beat in back-to-back encounters. His only wins in the last four years have come against a past-his-prime Tyron Woodley and the recently-retired Jorge Masvidal. Covington doesn’t even own a win over any man currently ranked in the division’s top ten.

“It’s weird — I don’t know why he’s getting pushed so much,” Edwards said. “He’s coming off two losses to the guy that I just currently beat [in Kamaru Usman], and then went and beat a guy in Masvidal that’s just retired, and now sat out for over a year. Turned down Gilbert [Burns], turned down Khamzat [Chimaev], turned down Belal [Muhammad], and then come back to a title shot? It’s weird. It’s something that I’ve never seen before.

“When I was going through the pandemic, having fight cancellations, Khamzat pulled out twice, I pulled out once, Masvidal pulled out, all these fights falling through — I got removed from the rankings for that, even though it was out of my control and wasn’t my fault. I got removed out of the rankings.

“For a guy to be fit and healthy, [sit] on the sidelines, turn down three or four fights and then say he wants to fight for the title, it doesn’t make sense. I feel like they should do it like I did it. Just shut up and fight. I earned my position. I worked for it. But these guys want handouts and freebies, and that’s not the way it works.”

Leon Edwards Has Not Received a Fight Offer From the UFC

Despite Dana White’s assistance that it will be Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington next, ‘Rocky’ revealed that he has not received a fight offer, nor has the office even contacted him to iron out any of the details.

“There’s no fight offer,” he said. “The UFC hasn’t even spoke to us. There’s no talks of that fight happening. He is talking just to talk. But as far as getting stripped, this is a guy that’s sat out for a year, turned down fight after fight, so he’s talking just to talk. I’m one that always took every fight. I took Khamzat when nobody wanted to fight Khamzat. I took him three times when everyone was turning him down. So it is what it is.

“I’m coming off a fight against one of the top welterweights in the world, Kamaru Usman, just under a month ago. It hasn’t been a month yet since I fought Usman. There’s no stripping here. I am willing to fight whoever, whenever, as long as they deserve it and the time frame is right.”

Leon Edwards is also frustrated by the fact that many of the men in the division’s top ten opt to sit on the sidelines and talk their way into a UFC title opportunity rather than earning it the way he had to.

“Instead of sitting around complaining, fight each other,” he said. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t. If you truly believe you’re the No. 1 contender, you should want to fight these guys, to prove to everybody, ‘There’s no one in my way. It’s me next.’ For some reason these guys want to sit out, complain, moan about the title shot without fighting.

“I had to do 10 in a row to get my title shot. These guys are coming off one win, one loss, one win, one loss, and demanding title shots. For sure, I feel like they should fight each other. Either Colby vs. Belal or Burns vs. Colby, however they want to do it. Whoever wins, that’s me next.”

Leon Edwards scoffs at UFC title fights with Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns: ‘There’s no contender’

Leon Edwards no title fight Colby Covington Gilbert Burns UFC there's no contenderLeon Edwards claims there is no distinct contender within the current welterweight pile who have earned their shot at his undisputed crown, including former interim champion, Colby Covington, and recent UFC 287 victor, Gilbert Burns. Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 286 back in March in a championship trilogy rubber match […]

Leon Edwards no title fight Colby Covington Gilbert Burns UFC there's no contender

Leon Edwards claims there is no distinct contender within the current welterweight pile who have earned their shot at his undisputed crown, including former interim champion, Colby Covington, and recent UFC 287 victor, Gilbert Burns.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 286 back in March in a championship trilogy rubber match against Kamaru Usman, landing a one-sided unanimous decision victory.

Initially expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 291 on July 22. – ahead of a planned London, England return for the promotion, Edwards has claimed he has no interest in making a return on that date.

Questioning the vality of the above-mentioned, Covington’s claim to a title opportunity against him next, Edwards stressed his preferall in a return in October at a planned UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

Leon Edwards claims there is no contender for him to defend his UFC title against

However, the Birmingham native has claimed when it comes to next opponents for him, neither Covington nor recent winner, Burns have done enough to warrant a challenge.

“At the moment in the division, there’s no clear number one contender,” Leon Edwards told Sky Sports. “Colby (Covington) is coming off two loses, one win. Gilbert (Burns) – similar. These guys are winning one fight, losing one fight, and then fighting for a world title. It’s a difficult time. Like I said, there’s no clear number one contender.” 

“Colby being uninjured, sitting ton the sidelines, turning down fights for over a year,” Leon Edwards said. “Nobody else has done that and earned a title shot from doing that. That’s the why not – he hasn’t earned his position. You can’t sit out uninjured over a year turning down fights and then, okay, I want a title shot now. That’s never been done before. Now, I’m champion, I decide. Colby isn’t a champion. He don’t decide nothing.”

“If it’s Colby, then it’s Colby,” Leon Edwards explained. “It is what it is. The order – let’s say who’s next, Burns, Colby, Belal (Muhammad), whoever else. They’re all similar fights. They’re all going to come with the same game plan. It’s all the same. It’s not about the opponent. There’s not fear for Colby. There’s nothing that’s fearful of Colby.” 

Leon Edwards details tentative relationship with UFC leader Dana White: ‘We’re not the best pals’

Leon Edwards relationship with UFC boss Dana White we're not best palsUndisputed UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has revealed that while he enjoys a working relationship with promotional leader, Dana White – himself and the long-time UFC president aren’t the best of pals. Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 286 back in March agaisnt former champion and previous pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru […]

Leon Edwards relationship with UFC boss Dana White we're not best pals

Undisputed UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has revealed that while he enjoys a working relationship with promotional leader, Dana White – himself and the long-time UFC president aren’t the best of pals.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 286 back in March agaisnt former champion and previous pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman – successfully defending his crown in the pair’s trilogy rubber match. 

Slated to make his next attempted title defense against the current #2 ranked welterweight contender and former interim gold holder, Colby Covingon, Edwards has questioned how the outspoken Clovis native had earned a shot at divisional gold.

Leon Edwards distances himself from an outing at a planned London event in July

Claiming he had received assurances that Edwards would be stripped of his welterweight title if he refused to fight him next from UFC brass, including White, Covington now appears, however, to be without a willing dance partner for a summer showdown – with Edwards scoffing at a July return.

“No [he will not fight at UFC London], unless it comes with some stupid money, the bag always talks,” Leon Edwards told Sky Sports. “Unless the stupid money comes I don’t see it – I’d literally have to get back in training camp next week.”

“I fought under a month ago,” Leon Edwards explained. “March to July, I don’t think [that] makes sense. In the last year or so, I’ve fought three times I think. I’d love to fight now towards the end of the year. The Abu Dhabi card [UFC 294] card would be great. That would be perfect. I get to nurse my injuries, I get time to get back into it. I feel like Abu Dhabi would be perfect.” 

Furthermore, Edwards opened up on his relationship with White, claiming himself and the promotional head-honcho would not be the best of friends.

“It’s alright,” Leon Edwards said of his relationship with Dana White during the interview with Sky Sports. “We’re not the best of pals – or best friends. But [it’s] like any relationship, right? It’s all good. I’m more closer to Hunter (Campbell) [UFC Chief Business Officer] than [I am to] Dana (White) too probably.”

“I think he knows what I’m thinking anyway, and what I want, you know?” Leon Edwards explained. “Yeah, let’s see – like I said, whoever comes, comes, but he has to make sense as well, you know?”