Newly crowned UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, is keeping his options open for his first title defense.
Edwards spoke with journalist Ariel Helwani on his show The MMA Hour on Monday and explained that he ultimately wants to complete his trilogy with Usman next, but also wouldn't be opposed to granting a title shot to former two-time UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal either. The main concern for the Jamaican-born champion is having his first title defense in his adopted home country of England.
“I don’t know,” Edwards said (h/t MMA Fighting). “Whoever, whenever. I’d love to run back Usman, but it has to be in London. Dana [White] came out and said Wembley, that would be amazing. To headline Wembley with Usman, that would be amazing. But if not, let [Jorge] Masvidal get a few wins. That would be a big fight as well. I’d love to f****** smack his head off him. But like I said, whoever, whenever. I’m top of the mountain now. There’s no doubting. [UFC President] Dana [White] came out before and said if Usman weren’t champion, Colby would be champion. When I heard that I was like, what? Colby had two shots, Masvidal had two shots, but little old Leon came in with one shot and head-kicked him. Pound-for-pound, headshot.”
Edwards and Masvidal's rivalry stems from a backstage altercation the two had at UFC Fight Night 147 back in March 2019 in London. Edwards also didn't rule out the possibility of facing disgruntled star, Nate Diaz for a second time, assuming Stockton's favorite son can upset Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 279 next month. Edwards and Diaz's history originates from their fight at UFC 263 in June 2021.
“Imagine the scenes. I would 100 percent give Nate a shot as well," Edwards said. "That would be — the scenes would be crazy. I would 100 percent give Nate a shot because Nate’s a G. I’ve always said it, even after the fight. He is who he is. The game never changed him. So if that does happen, then Nate’s definitely getting the shot.”
Still can’t believe Leon Edwards’ KO of Kamaru Usman last night -- @espnmma #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/KFXToBpgfT
— ESPN (@espn) August 21, 2022
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