Leon Edwards Doesn’t Plan on Staying Down for Long
Leon Edwards waited so long for his opportunity to be a UFC champion. Edwards must grapple with having it end after only two title defenses. But MMAfighting latest news shows that Edwards likely doesn’t plan to stay inactive for long.
The British fighter would like to find a way to earn another shot at the championship. Edwards’ loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 likely rules out the chance for an immediate rematch. So, Edwards’ question is, what does he want to do next?
Should Edwards stay at welterweight? There are a few rising contenders who may pass him up. If Edwards decides to go up in weight, he will have to consider whether his fighting style will allow him to handle men who fight at heavier weights.
Did Poor Training Camp Stunt Performance?
Edwards losing to Muhammad wasn’t an all-time upset. But it was a major surprise with how the fight played out. Almost from the opening bell, Muhammad overwhelmed Edwards with his excellent wrestling and surprisingly stiff striking. Muhammad won four out of five rounds, according to many of the best MMA sites.
Many people expected the fight would go the distance as both men have made a career of seeing the scorecards. But after Edwards defended his belt against strong wrestlers Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, many thought he would be able to stuff Muhammad.
It wasn’t the case. Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell, has indicated that Edwards’ poor wrestling performance was due to a “niggle” that he suffered during camp. With his back in pain, Edwards didn’t feel like he could wrestle the way he needed to.
Edwards Wants Piece of an Old Rival
Edwards and his team know that an immediate rematch with Muhammad is likely, barring injury, off the table. There are too many other contenders at welterweight for him to get back in line. Edwards and his team have expressed interest in fighting Irish star Ian Machado Garry.
Garry is undefeated in the UFC so far and is trying to work toward a title shot. Edwards and Garry also have had some dust ups in the past. During Garry’s career, he has trained at several different gyms to try and get more experience.
Edwards asked him not to come back to the gym he trains at Renegade because it wasn’t what they wanted to do with the culture there. Garry claimed Edwards asked him to leave because they were in the same weight class. However, Edwards said Garry was always late to the training sessions and brought other drama by bringing his camera crew and now-wife.
Rematch with Usman?
When the latest UFC rankings came out, Edwards was the top-ranked welterweight behind the champion. The fighter at No. 2 is one that Edwards is familiar with. Edwards took the welterweight crown off Kamaru Usman with a shocking head-kick knockout.
The two men have fought three times already, with Edwards winning two of the three. But Usman may be a little delirious about how easy it will be to work back for an opportunity to fight for the title. Usman has lost three straight fights.
During all three of those losses, Usman seemed to show a declining skillset.
Rakhmonov is the Boogeyman
Shavkat Rakhmonov is the fighter who everyone is eagerly anticipating the news of who his next opponent will be. Rakhmonov is 18-0 in his career and has finished every fight. He is so well-rounded it is hard for anyone to generate a serious challenge to him.
Rakhmonov doesn’t have a deep resume just yet. During Rakhmonov’s last fight, he became the first fighter in UFC history to submit former title challenger Stephen Thompson. Taking a fight against Rakhmonov could be the best of both worlds for Edwards.
If he can find a way to slow down the young fighter, Edwards could grab another big win and move to the front of the line for a championship fight.
Would Jack Della Maddalena Be an Option
Because of Edwards’ ranking in the organization, nearly all of his potential opponents are fighters who are lower down the rankings. Australian Jack Della Maddalena has won 17 consecutive fights after starting his career 0-2. Della Maddalena’s last win was his most impressive win.
Della Maddelena knocked out former champion Gilbert Burns with a knee followed up with elbows. Burns was a former title challenger. Della Maddalena is someone who is more comfortable with striking.
He only has submission wins during his career and doesn’t like to end up on the mats. Della Maddalena also needs to string together a few strong performances if he ever hopes to fight for a championship. Before the win over Burns, Della Maddalena was showing signs of being overrated.
Before the Burns fight, Dell Maddalena had turned in two underwhelming performances in a row, including a pair of split-decision wins over Kevin Holland and Bassil Hafez.
Edwards Will Likely Need to Be More Active
Since the beginning of 2021, Edwards has only fought five times. In 2021 and 2023, Edwards, who is 32, took two fights. With the UFC, the promotion prefers that fighters keep a heavier schedule to keep their name on people’s minds.
Now that Leon has the belt, fighting twice a year like most champions do may not be enough to keep the bosses happy. Edwards will need to find a way to produce a few exciting fights to earn a shot at the championship.
As recent cuts in the UFC have shown, the promotion doesn’t have much patience for fighters who they consider “boring”. The UFC recently cut undefeated fighter Muhammad Mokaev because they didn’t like his style.
Edwards should be paid more respect as a former champion, but if he ever wants to reach the top of the mountain again, he may have to produce some exciting fights against other top contenders.
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By Dean McHugh.
