The new UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, waited a long time for his shot at gold. With the belt wrapped firmly around his waist, Edwards entertained a few prospects for his next opponent – an immediate rematch with Kamaru Usman notwithstanding – on The MMA Hour.
One surprising option for Edwards was Nate Diaz, who Edwards defeated via decision last year. “Imagine the scenes – the scenes!
Leon Edwards Welcomes Nate Diaz Rematch
Imagine the scenes. I would 100 percent give Nate a shot as well. 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 it that does happen, then Nate’s definitely getting the shot.”
Leon Edwards’ obvious admiration for Nate Diaz aside, he examined the landscape of top contenders at 170 pounds, comparing his own performance against Usman to that of previous contenders.
“I don’t know. 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, head shot.”
Leon Edwards is England’s first home-grown champion. Previous British UFC champs like Michael Bisping moved to the US to train at an elite level. With MMA booming in the UK right now, and young guns like Paddy Pimblett turning heads in the mainstream, Leon Edwards is adamant that his first title defense should be on home soil.
“100 percent it will be next year. Obviously, I’ve got a few injuries I need to sort out. Early next year. I don’t want to be off too long, so early next year would be good. March, April. But they’re not going to London until like March, April, right? So around that time, we’re good to go.
The stadium. Let’s go! Big stadium. That’s what Dana said. Let’s get it done. MMA now in the U.K. is booming, and to have a champion from the U.K., and all the other guys like Paddy [Pimblett], Darren [Till], put them on the card and let’s sell out Wembley. Now is the time to do it. Let’s do it.”
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