Leon Edwards has waited a long time for his chance at the UFC welterweight title. He’s waited even longer for a rematch with reigning champ Kamaru Usman. His manager, Tim Simpson of Paradigm Sports (the organization also looking after Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya), told The MMA Hour that the wait may finally be over this summer, as soon as “The Nigerian Nightmare” recovers from hand surgery.
“I’ve been told that’s the plan pending on Kamaru’s hand, but yeah, I believe so. I don’t know the details on his hand. I saw the photo of the surgery, but I think so. I can’t see anything disrupting that unless Kamaru’s out a year or something and they’ve got to figure something out.”
Is Leon Edwards Finally Getting his Long-Awaited Title Shot?
Kamaru Usman’s place atop the UFC welterweight division has looked secure for several years now. He defeated many of the division’s top names on his way up, including British standout Leon “Rocky” Edwards.
That was in 2015, and in 2019 Usman won the belt. Since then, however, Edwards hasn’t lost a single fight, dispatching major names including Vicente Luque, Gunnar Nelson, and Nate Diaz along the way.
Edwards’ domination of the welterweight division thus far has yet to lead to a title charge, due in part to the UFC prioritizing Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington’s rivalries with Usman. A global pandemic and the ensuing travel issues for fighters based outside the US – like Edwards, who still lives in the UK – didn’t help, either. Even UFC president Dana White concedes that Leon Edwards, perhaps more than anyone else at 170 pounds, has earned the shot.
“I don’t need to go over again what that guy’s been through at this stage. He’s patient and he deserves it. Even when Dana comes out and says that he deserves it. He’s been through this, it’s out of his control.”
Of course, welterweight is a division often rocked by wild cards. At 170 pounds, welterweight is a common stepping stone for fighters bulking up from lightweight or slimming down from middleweight. Conor McGregor may return to compete at 170 pounds, where he’s had significantly better luck than at 155 lately. Khamzat Chimaev’s surge through the division so far might also test Leon’s patience.
After seven years, however, Leon Edwards might finally have his chance at redemption. Kamaru Usman might be the #1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet right now, but will “Rocky” echo the story of his namesake and emerge victorious? Let us know in the comments.
