Edwards Slams Machado Garry: Losing to Shavkat Is His ‘Biggest Achievement’

Former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards hit out at Ian Machado Garry, as speculation increases over a fight between the former teammates, although Leon does not appear too keen on the fight.

They were once teammates at the Team Renegade gym. However, their relationship deteriorated following Garry’s split from the camp. Garry has publicly stated he was asked not to return to the gym due to “insecurities and doubts” in Edwards and his coach, while Team Renegade reportedly said Garry did not “add to the team’s culture.”

A matchup is a possibility, provided both win their next fight. Edwards is looking to bounce back when he faces Carlos Prates this weekend at UFC 322 after losing his last two fights. Meanwhile, Garry is scheduled to face Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar the following week. However, Edwards does not see any value in facing Garry.

“Ian’s biggest achievement right now, in the sport, is losing to Shavkat. That’s facts. That’s his greatest achievement, that he can brag he didn’t get finished and lost to Shavkat. That [fight] doesn’t for me, and my plans…if it comes it comes, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Edwards said 

Should The Fight Happen?

For Edwards, who is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses and immediately re-enter the title conversation, a fight against Ian Machado Garry holds minimal upside and significant risk. Edwards is ranked higher and has faced a higher caliber of competition. If he were to fight Garry and win, the victory would not significantly move him past the legitimate title contenders he needs to face (like Shavkat Rakhmonov.

The biggest factor, however, is the risk: a loss to a surging contender like Garry, particularly one with such personal history, would utterly derail Edwards’s momentum and likely push him far down the rankings.

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.