Michael Web page thinks Leon Edwards will preserve his place as UFC welterweight champion for the foreseeable future, and it’s his objective to ultimately safe a title bout together with his fellow Brit.
The all-time Bellator knockout record-holder Web page (21-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is about to make his octagon debut on March 9 when he meets Kevin Holland at UFC 299, which takes place at Kaseya Middle in Miami with a predominant card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+. It’s an opportunity for “Venom” to make a giant splash in his new promotion, and the talent-stacked 170-pound division at present led by Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC).
Though Web page is conscious he has work to do, beginning with Holland, he can’t ignore the possibly historic alternative to arrange a UFC title conflict with Edwards, which might be the primary of its form that includes two U.Okay.-based athletes.
“I need give a giant knockout, a giant knockout after which let’s go for the belt,” Web page advised MMA Junkie. “Hopefully Leon’s nonetheless acquired the belt. I undoubtedly imagine he can nonetheless have the belt. We will promote out a stadium. We will make a lot noise and promote out a stadium within the U.Okay. and produce an untold story to the UFC.”
Web page, 36, is assured he’s not overselling the magnitude or significance of a battle with Edwards in his a part of the world, and it’s achievable in his thoughts. His journey to the UFC has many similarities to that of former three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler, who fought for the UFC light-weight title in his second promotional look, and has solely participated in huge fights below the UFC banner.
“It’s a large battle,” Web page stated. “It’s a completely huge battle. It makes a stadium to the place the U.Okay. artists are at this stage of MMA. The U.Okay. guys are doing so effectively. All you must do is have a look at Tom Aspinall doing his factor as effectively at heavyweight. The very fact we might get two U.Okay. guys to headline a predominant occasion within the U.Okay. is unbelievable. For a belt? Like I stated, it’s unparalleled. Let’s make it occur.”
Web page stated he expects Edwards to get by means of his subsequent crop of contenders, which appears more likely to be Belal Muhammad at UFC 300 on April 13, then probably Shavkat Rakhmonov after that. It’s a tough stretch of challenges, however Web page has religion Edwards will maintain up his finish of the cut price in retaining the strap whereas he makes his climb to the highest of the ranks.
“I believe we’re previous underestimating Leon Edwards, and I believe we’ve been doing that for a very long time,” Web page stated. “Sure it’s tough (to get by means of Muhammad and Rakhmonov), however I really feel like he’s acquired one of many hardest runs to the title. His story is wonderful. You may see his coronary heart, you’ll be able to see his grit. He pulled out that spectacular win in opposition to Usman, then went and did it once more. The show he placed on (in opposition to Colby Covington), I felt like he might’ve completed extra, however but it was nonetheless a dominant show.
“I believe lots of people ought to be over underestimating Leon Edwards. He’s actually the very best welterweight on the planet. And rightly so. I can nonetheless see him being the champion (after I get there) no matter names that could possibly be probably preventing him earlier than I get there. I reckon he’ll undoubtedly be holding that belt for a belt for a short while.”
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