Morning Report: Leon Edwards doesn’t believe there are any money fights at welterweight: ‘There’s no big star’

Leon Edwards will proceed to face large assessments because the UFC welterweight champion ought to he retain the title at UFC 304 this Saturday night time in London, England.

Edwards, 32, gained the title in epic comeback vogue with the last-minute head kick heard all over the world towards Kamaru Usman in August 2022. To comply with up his unimaginable effort, he thwarted Usman once more of their trilogy earlier than practically shutting out Colby Covington in a lopsided unanimous resolution in December.

The third title protection of Edwards’ reign will probably be his second reoccurring opponent, Belal Muhammad. Nonetheless, regardless of the storyline and unbeaten streaks concerned, the matchup hasn’t been considered as “excessive profile” and “Rocky” doesn’t foresee any on the horizon.

“I don’t assume there’s actually any large cash fights proper now within the welterweight division,” Edwards instructed Kevin Iole. “Simply robust opponents within the division, however there’s no large star that may add extra worth. Shavkat [Rakhmonov] clearly is an efficient expertise. Everybody’s happening about him. Clearly, Ian Garry, we educated collectively earlier than. So, there’s a narrative behind that as effectively.

“I’m centered on Belal proper now. Go on the market, deal with enterprise subsequent weekend and after that, let’s see the place the cookie crumbles.”

Edwards vs. Muhammad 1 happened inside a crowdless UFC APEX Facility in March 2021. The struggle separates every’s information from being flawless of their 10-fight-plus stretches. Sadly, an early eye poke in spherical two halted the motion and rendered Muhammad unable to proceed. Due to this fact, the struggle was declared a no-contest, separating Edwards’ 13-fight unbeaten streak and Muhammad’s at 10.

Neither fighter has been a notable finisher all through their latest dominance. They’re undeniably on the heights of their talents, however after Edwards’ profitable first spherical towards Muhammad and taking a look at their resumes because the first encounter, he expects to place away “Keep in mind the Title.”

“I’m gonna positively end,” Edwards stated. “I really feel like he’s there for it. I really feel like he’s tailored for me, the best way he fights. I’m going for the end, for positive.

“[Vicente] Luque ain’t the Luque from again within the day, ? [Stephen] ‘Wonderboy’ [Thompson] ain’t the ‘Wonderboy’ — ‘Wonderboy’s’ 41 now? 40 years previous. These usually are not me. I’m a younger 32-year-old and going into my prime, stuffed with confidence, simply turned champion by knocking out the pound-for-pound No. 1. It’s two completely different mentalities and two completely different type of guys you’re going towards. He has improved a bit of bit, however they’re not me. I really feel that’s the distinction. He is aware of it, and once we go on the market, I’ll present it.”

Vitriol. Sean O’Malley goes off on ‘mentally weak drug addict’ Conor McGregor: ‘He’s a b*tch’

Integrity. Kayla Harrison responds to Julianna Pena’s dishonest accusations: ‘To me, it simply reveals no class’

Criticism. Jake Paul claims he solely outweighed Mike Perry by a slim margin: ‘That’s frequent in boxing’

Retort. Curtis Blaydes scoffs at criticism that he has a glass jaw: ‘It’s virtually a distinct sport’ at heavyweight

Depend. Michael Bisping steps in for Joe Rogan on UFC 304 broadcast crew

Cancelation. Roman Kopylov out of UFC Vegas 96 struggle with Brunno Ferreira

Recommendation. Leon Edwards’ coach responds to Nate Diaz callout, suggests Diaz retire as an alternative

The MMA Hour.

UFC 304 Embedded.

Aspinall’s finishes.

Murphy in Manchester.

Anatomy of UFC 304.

Cruz on Edwards vs. Muhammad 2.

On To the Subsequent One. MMA Combating’s Mike Heck and Alex Okay. Lee talk about the matches to make after UFC Vegas 94.

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover considered one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re presently actually into. I’ll decide the very best one alongside my day by day selection and offer you a shoutout! You too can share within the feedback beneath — these are simply tougher to sift by means of generally!

On the champ’s radar.

Wonderbeef.

Comparisons.

Excuse me, sir.

Backhanded.

Fashionable.

Garcia in Japan.

Champ shorts.

Problem.

Trevor Peek (9-2, 1 NC) vs. Yanal Ashmouz (7-1); UFC Vegas 97, Sept. 7

Morgan Charrière (19-10-1) vs. AJ Cunningham (11-4); UFC Paris, Sept. 28

Sadly for Leon, he’s proper. Are you aware what modifications that although? Turning into the cash struggle by establishing your self as a long-reigning champion. Better of luck, “Rocky.”

Thanks for studying!

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