Former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards is primed for a comeback subsequent 12 months.
After embarking on a large 13-fight unbeaten streak, which lasted from 2015 to simply this previous July and noticed him seize the 170-lb. strap, Edwards was handedly defeated by his divisional rival, Belal Muhammad, at UFC 304. The pair had beforehand encountered one another at UFC Struggle Evening 187, with that bout ending in a disappointing no contest after “Rocky” unintentionally caught his finger in Muhammad’s eye, rendering him unable to proceed. Previous to the poke, nonetheless, Edwards was simply outclassing “Bear in mind the Title” within the arise, battering the Chicago native.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 13: (L-R) Leon Edwards of Jamaica by chance pokes the attention of Bulal Muhammad in a welterweight combat throughout the UFC Struggle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on March 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)
Muhammad Takes Rematch on Enemy Territory
Their rematch, then again, was a wholly completely different story altogether. From begin to end, Muhammad dominantly managed the then-two-time defending title holder along with his superior wrestling, even dunking Edwards on his head with a slam at one level. The challenger additionally displayed a brand new aptitude for boxing by standing up with the champion at a number of factors and held his personal, if not beat Edwards in just a few exchanges. In entrance of his opponent’s own residence crowd in England, the American placed on an absolute clinic and walked away with the most important prize in all of fight sports activities.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 27: (L-R) Belal Muhammad punches Leon Edwards of Jamaica within the UFC welterweight championship bout throughout the UFC 304 occasion at Co-op Reside on July 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)
The loss was a tough capsule to swallow for the previous champion, who, in a video posted by Myprotein on their Instagram web page, Edwards candidly famous, “I haven’t misplaced a combat now in like 9 years. So, I used to be getting used to that feeling once more. I really feel like I hate dropping greater than I like profitable.” Earlier than he had his belt snatched from him by Muhammad, the final time Edwards didn’t get his hand raised in victory was at UFC on Fox 17 in December of 2015 after dropping a unanimous resolution defeat to fellow future welterweight king Kamaru Usman. “Rocky” would go on to avenge mentioned loss twice within the following years.
Edwards Able to Begin Recent
With the Muhammad loss seemingly within the rearview mirror, Edwards main goal heading into 2025 is crystal clear: regain his throne on the prime of the mountain. “My objective proper now’s to clearly to get the belt again, I’d like to be champion once more by the tip of the 12 months subsequent 12 months.”
The final time the Englishman suffered a defeat, he managed to document a prolonged win streak. Ought to he be granted a direct title shot upon his return, it will make his runback with Muhammad one of many few championship trilogies within the weight courses historical past (assuming Muhammad continues to be on the prime by then). It might additionally make Edwards one in every of solely three males to ever win the welterweight belt twice, after Matt Hughes and Georges St-Pierre.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Leon Edwards of Jamaica prepares to face Belal Muhammad within the UFC welterweight championship bout throughout the UFC 304 occasion at Co-op Reside on July 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)
Nonetheless, with a probable No. 1 contenders match taking place at UFC 310 subsequent month between undefeated phenoms Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry, it could be a while earlier than “Rocky” is permitted one other shot at UFC gold. Both means, 2025 will, indisputably, be a pivotal 12 months going ahead within the profession of Leon Edwards.
