UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is concentrating on potential fights towards Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev.
Edwards will make a 3rd defence of his title when he takes on Belal Muhammed in Manchester on July 27 in the principle occasion of the UFC 304 card. The struggle can be a rematch of their assembly in March 2021 which resulted in a no-contest, following a poke to the attention within the second spherical left Muhammad unable to proceed.
The 32-year-old claimed the welterweight championship in 2022 in a rematch towards the then-champion Kamaru Usman. Edwards knocked the Nigerian out in sensational style to develop into the primary British UFC champion since Michael Bisping in 2016 and solely the second in historical past.
McGregor will make a long-awaited return to the Octagon on June 29 in the principle occasion of UFC 303 towards Michael Chandler in Las Vegas. For Edwards, a win for McGregor will arrange a possible headline Madison Sq. Backyard bout between himself and the previous light-weight champion.
“To add McGregor to the list of opponents that I’ve defeated would add to my greatness,” Edwards instructed Sky Sports activities Information.
“That is an excellent struggle for the viewers, it is a struggle that will get everybody speaking. It could be entertaining. To offer him the possibility to win a 3rd belt can be sensible. To get McGregor and to headline at an iconic venue like Maddison Sq. Backyard can be sensible.
“I think I’m the better fighter, I’d be the bigger guy in there. It would be a great fight.”
It has been three years since McGregor final fought within the UFC after breaking his left leg within the first spherical of his trilogy struggle with Dustin Poirier. Edwards believes McGregor will return with a victory.
“I can see a victory for Conor in a lot of ways. He’s a great puncher, Chandler’s aggressive, smaller than Conor so I’d favour Conor to win the fight.”
McGregor is not the one showdown that Edwards has on his thoughts with MMA followers anticipating an excellent struggle with Makhachev.
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Edwards discusses the potential of an excellent struggle showdown towards light-weight champion Makhachev
Makhachev defeated Poirier in his newest light-weight title defence at UFC 302 on Saturday however has identified wishes to develop into a two-weight champion hinting at an eventual transfer to welterweight to struggle Edwards.
“I’d welcome it but I think we both have work to do within our divisions,” Edwards stated.
“He just fought his first lightweight. I feel like he’s got a few more lightweights he’s got to go through first before even thinking about moving up.
“It is a huge struggle. I really feel like I’ve received work to do inside my division first, then the tremendous fights will come.”
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