One of the top welterweights in the UFC has his eyes on his next opponent. Leon “Rocky” Edwards (18-3) hasn’t fought since last July. He was supposed to fight Tyron Woodley earlier this year, but had to pull out due to his inability to train at his gym.
The pandemic shut everything down in the UK, and Edwards couldn’t train for that fight. The UFC offered Edwards a shot at Kamaru Usman after Gilbert Burns was forced out of UFC 251. Edwards again couldn’t take the fight due to his inability to train.
Things have opened back up, and Edwards is ready to get back to the octagon. There is only one man he wants to fight upon his return to the UFC and he’s made it very clear who that man is.
Let’s get it.. stop with all the excuses and give the fans and the @ufc what they want pic.twitter.com/wV2U0AdWxy
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) August 9, 2020
Calling out the UFC’s BMF
Edwards really wants to fight Jorge Masvidal (35-14). This is a fight that has a backstory, and a fight that has a lot of heat. The heat dates back to UFC Fight Night 147 when Masvidal knocked out Darren Till.
Masvidal was conducting his post fight interview when Edwards yelled out, “Fight me in July.” After Masvidal said maybe, Edwards told him to shut up. What happened next became a viral video and a viral saying.
Gamebred bloodied Edwards with his classic three piece and a soda. A saying that Masvidal coined which became popular to the point of selling apparel. To Edwards’ point, this is a fight that makes perfect sense.
The UFC‘s BMF said that he’s wanting to get back into the cage by November or December. He wants a rematch with Kamaru Usman, but the UFC has been clear that Gilbert Burns would be getting that shot.
6 days. 20 pounds. Flew to Vegas. Vegas to Abu Dhabi. Fought the champ. Created the damage. He’s out for a minute. I’ve been ready since I got back. Time to move the division forward. Your move #supernecessary
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) August 9, 2020
As Edwards said, both Masvidal and him fall within the top four of the UFC‘s welterweight division. Everyone else is either scheduled or tentatively scheduled to fight.
This fight would likely determine who would face the winner of the Usman – Burns fight whenever that fight takes place. I personally would be very excited to see Edwards and Masvidal match up against one another.