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Tag: Leon Edwards

  • Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return Talks, Calls Out Leon Edwards

    Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return Talks, Calls Out Leon Edwards

    Jorge Masvidal has confirmed that he’s in active negotiations with the UFC for a return to the Octagon, with Leon Edwards at the top of his wish list.

    Speaking on the Deep Waters panel show on UFC on Paramount+, the former BMF champion addressed Dana White’s public confirmation at UFC 327 that the two sides have been in talks.

    After initially playing coy with an “I’m retired, man” deflection, Masvidal dropped the act once the panel played White’s comments back to him.

    “We’re definitely talking. We’ve been talking for a minute. It’s just we haven’t landed on that thing,” Masvidal said.

    Masvidal on UFC Negotiations

    Masvidal was candid about the pace of negotiations, expressing loyalty to the promotion while acknowledging the reality of doing business with the UFC.

    “You guys know better than anybody how the UFC is. I love them to death, but man, they make you work for every single thing. It’s always like it’s not quite what you wanted it to be a lot of times. So we’re working. We’re going to get something done, though,” he said.

    The 40-year-old hasn’t competed in MMA since losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023, a defeat that prompted his retirement. He recently revealed that the UFC blocked him from competing on the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card because they had their own plans for his comeback.

    Leon Edwards: The Preferred Target

    While Masvidal said he’d prefer to fight at middleweight to avoid the weight cut, he made one thing clear: he’ll get back to 170 for the right name.

    “If they give me the Leon fight, I’ll get to 170 by the mall. No kidding. Quick. I would like that fight. The fans would like that fight,” Masvidal said.

    He then made his case by turning Edwards’ own previous reasoning against him.

    Edwards had reportedly declined a fight with Masvidal in the past because of his losing streak. The former welterweight champion is now on a three-fight skid of his own, dropping decisions to Belal Muhammad and finishes to Sean Brady and Carlos Prates.

    “He had said he wouldn’t fight me because I had like three or four losses in a row. I think he’s got like four losses in a row and like three by KO. So that’s the fight that makes sense,” Masvidal said, slightly overstating Edwards’ recent record but landing the broader point.

    He also made it clear that a tune-up fight holds no interest. “With your name, you just don’t show up and fight anybody. You’re not out there fighting Francisco Prado,” he said.

    The Timeline

    Masvidal pointed to International Fight Week in July as his ideal return window, requesting four to five months of preparation time. “The more time they give me to prepare, the better, obviously. A good 4 to 5 months from here, it’ll be perfect,” he said.

    Framing the matchup as an easy sell for the promotion, he closed with a simple pitch: “That’s low hanging fruit for the UFC. Just give me what I’m asking for and we’re good to go, man.”

    The Covington Dig

    In a lighter moment, the panel asked Masvidal about fighters he still has beef with. He said he gets along with virtually everyone he’s fought, but couldn’t resist one jab at his former American Top Team teammate.

    “For the most part I get along with everybody. If I see him I share a meal with him, hang out, talk. But just one rat-ass mother… I shouldn’t even say his name because he’s already suing me. But Colby Covington is the only one I really never mess with like that,” Masvidal said.

    Covington recently filed a civil lawsuit against Masvidal seeking damages related to the 2022 restaurant attack in Miami Beach.

    The rivalry between Masvidal and Edwards dates back to March 2019, when Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage at UFC London, coining the now-famous “three-piece and a soda” phrase that became part of his BMF-era identity. On the panel, he leaned into that legacy: “He already got a two-piece and a soda. Now it’s time for dessert. Now I’m going to hit this [guy] with the whole buffet, brother.”

  • ‘His Own Head Shot Dead’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Cracks Leon Edwards In Sudden Style At UFC 322

    ‘His Own Head Shot Dead’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Cracks Leon Edwards In Sudden Style At UFC 322

    The momentum of the Fighting Nerds seems to be slowly coming back, as Carlos Prates scores a second straight highlight knockout, finishing former welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

    Edwards got the better of Prates in the first round, using his grappling to press Prates against the fence, trading trash talk with Prates in the clinch. Edwards continued to get the better offensively, setting things up to score a takedown during the first and gaining back control.

    But one punches changes everything, and that’s all Prates needed. Prates landed a left straight that broke through Edwards’ guard and connected on the button, dropping Edwards out cold for a second-round finish.

    Carlos Prates Puts Out Leon Edwards At UFC 322

    Prates has scored finishes in all of his wins since December 2021, including all of his victories in the UFC. He’s now won two straight via knockout since his sole blemish in the UFC — losing to Ian Machado Garry earlier this year.

    Edwards has now lost three straight, having been finished now by both Prates and Sean Brady since dropping the UFC welterweight title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304.

  • Leon Edwards teases Ian Machado Garry as feud intensifies

    Leon Edwards teases Ian Machado Garry as feud intensifies

    Former UFC champion Leon Edwards has thrown a shot back at Ian Machado Garry as the two continue to go back and forth at one another.

    On Saturday night, Leon Edwards faces a big challenge in the form of a clash with Carlos Prates. ‘Rocky’ is coming off the back of consecutive losses at the hands of Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady, and if he’s serious about climbing back into welterweight title contention, this is an absolute must-win for him.

    One man who doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Leon Edwards is none other than Ian Machado Garry. After the controversies surrounding them training together, the Irishman has made no secret of the fact that he believes Leon is on the decline.

    In a pre-fight interview with Ariel Helwani, Leon Edwards had the following to say about Machado Garry.

    Leon Edwards hits back at Ian Machado Garry

    “Ian’s biggest achievement right now in the sport is losing to Shavkat, and that’s facts,” Edwards said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “That’s his greatest achievement, that he can brag that he didn’t get finished and that he lost to Shavkat. If it comes, it comes. iIf it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Edwards has had to deal with a lot of adversity in his life and career, and although Machado Garry would serve as a really dangerous opponent if the two ever fought, we can’t imagine that he would shy away from this challenge. If anything, he would embrace it.

  • Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates: Belal Muhammad says ‘Rocky’ is in a tough spot

    Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates: Belal Muhammad says ‘Rocky’ is in a tough spot

    Belal Muhammad has given his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates at UFC 322.

    As we know, Leon Edwards is on a poor run of form as of late. He lost his UFC welterweight championship to Belal Muhammad and then in his next outing, he was beaten pretty comprehensively by Sean Brady.

    At this point, Leon Edwards needs to go out there and prove that he’s still as good as he has always been – or, at the very least, showcase that he’s far more competent against natural strikers as opposed to wrestlers.

    In a recent video, his former foe Belal Muhammad gave his thoughts on this bout.

    Belal Muhammad’s view on Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates

    “Leon, coming off of two losses in a row, is in a very tough spot,” Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. “You never want to be in a spot where you’re on two losses in a row because we’re going to see how bad he wants it. You don’t get any easier fights when you’re the champ. 

    “Every fight after that is still a tough fight. Every fight after that is still one shot, one win away from getting to a title fight. You’re not getting an easy one with Prates. Prates is very long, he’s a southpaw, he has great power, and he’s very confident coming off of that spinning elbow.”

    “So for Leon, you just need to get back on your rhythm,” Muhammad said. “Your last fight, you got taken down by Sean Brady. Before that, you got taken down by me. Now you’re going against a striker, so this is more of your world. But I do think you need to implement striking. 

    “You need to go with kind of the game plan Ian Garry used of lateral movements, staying out of his power, staying out of his reach, using your kicks. He’s going to be longer than you, and when he overextends, you take him down. We’ve seen you shoot, we’ve seen you wrestle, and we’ve seen you wrestle stupidly with Sean Brady. But with this one, you shoot a bad shot on Prates, he’s not going to make you pay for it.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Jorge Masvidal Calls Out Leon Edwards for UFC White House Showdown

    Jorge Masvidal Calls Out Leon Edwards for UFC White House Showdown

    Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has called for a long-awaited showdown with Leon Edwards as part of the UFC White House card.

    As we know, Jorge Masvidal has had a problem with Leon Edwards for many years now. It goes back to the infamous incident backstage at UFC London, during which ‘Gamebred’ attacked ‘Rocky’ following a back and forth exchange between the two. While they’ve come close to colliding in the cage in the past, it’s never quite come to fruition.

    While both men are in a tricky spot in their respective careers, Leon Edwards was able to kick on and become UFC welterweight champion. Jorge Masvidal, meanwhile, is eyeing up a return to the UFC after a few years away.

    In a recent chat with Henry Cejudo, Jorge Masvidal made it crystal clear that he is still interested in competing against the Englishman.

    Jorge Masvidal wants Leon Edwards fight

    “If you’re watching this [Leon], I’ll f***ing beat the f*** out of you at the White House. Leon, I will beat the f***ing dogs*** out of you, just to say America, kicked f***ing England’s ass for trying to take over our s***.

    “We had to send y’all back, I’m gonna send you back in the same way. On a ship back home. 4th July, America’s birthday, brother. Let them make the mistake and send you as a representative for England. I will crash that party, brother. I’ll go crazy on this motherf***er, bro. I’ll get in shape for you Leon, don’t worry about it brother”

  • Carlos Prates vs. Leon Edwards booked for Major UFC 322 bout

    Carlos Prates vs. Leon Edwards booked for Major UFC 322 bout

    Carlos Prates is still at the nucleus of a lot of discourse from his previous UFC fight earlier this month but the exciting mixed martial artist already has his next octagon assignment locked in. The surging welterweight contender will take on a former kingpin of 170 pounds in Leon Edwards when the two clash in New York at UFC 322. Madison Square Garden on November 15th is when this high stakes contest will take place.

    Prates is on the heels of a highlight reel bolstering, spinning back elbow KO of Geoff Neal at UFC 319 on August 16th. The finish picked up a lot of attention online with Prates now having five wins in his last six fights with four knockout victories through that stretch.

    Conversely for Edwards, he is on a two fight skid and is aiming to preserve his placement in the rankings against the hungry combatant, Prates. ‘Rocky’ dropped his 170 pound crown to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in July 2024 and Edwards also lost via fourth round guillotine choke to Sean Brady in March.

    UFC 322 will be a consequential card for the ranked welterweights in the promotion even beyond Prates vs. Edwards. The event will be headlined by Jack Della Maddalena aiming to defend his belt against former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev who vacated his belt to move up in the pursuit of becoming a two division UFC champion.

    Carlos Prates had called out Michael ‘Venom’ Page for UFC Rio

    Carlos Prates had called for a quick turnaround showdown with MVP when the dust settled on his finish of Geoff Neal in Chicago with Prates wanting a clash with Michael ‘Venom’ Page on that UFC Rio card. Page, who also earned a victory at UFC 319 when he bested former UFC middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier, seemed intrigued by the idea of a Prates fight on his rival’s home soil, October 11th in Brazil.

    It would have also presumably had a lot of intrigue for Page who has complained about matchmaking politics at welterweight and how hard it is to get fights there. Alas, the matchmakers had a different vision for what’s next for both fighters with question marks now popping up about what could be next for MVP.

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Announced For UFC 322 Main Event, Weili Zhang To Vacate Title And Challenge Valentina Shevchenko In Co-Main Event

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Announced For UFC 322 Main Event, Weili Zhang To Vacate Title And Challenge Valentina Shevchenko In Co-Main Event

    The UFC will be returning to New York’s Madison Square Garden for UFC 322 on November 15, featuring a pair of what could be considered championship superfights to headline the night.

    The main event will see Jack Della Maddalena make his first defense of the UFC welterweight championship, as he faces the challenge of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

    JDM, an alumnus of Dana White’s Contender Series, has gone unbeaten in professional MMA since dropping his first two fights. His rise up the welterweight ranks ended in successful fashion with a win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May to claim the UFC’s 170-pound title.

    Makhachev became UFC lightweight champion with a submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. He defended the title four times, defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice, as well as defeating Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, before vacating the belt — now held by Ilia Topuria — earlier this year.

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang Official For UFC 322

    Like the stories of Makhachev and Topuria, Weili Zhang will be vacating her strawweight championship and challenging Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title in the UFC 323 co-main event — a battle of the top two-ranked pound-for-pound women’s fighters in the UFC today.

    Shevchenko initially won the women’s flyweight championship at UFC 231, defending the belt seven times before her trilogy with Alexa Grasso that saw her lose and regain the title. Shevchenko defended the belt earlier this year at UFC 315, defeating Manon Fiorot.

    Zhang, a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion, began her second run with the gold by submitting Carla Esparza at UFC 281, which was also held at Madison Square Garden. She has since successfully defended the title against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez.

    UFC 322 will also feature former welterweight champion Leon Edwards in action against Carlos Prates. Edwards lost to Sean Brady earlier this year in his first fight since dropping the belt to Belal Muhammad. Prates, meanwhile, scored a highlight knockout of Geoff Neal just a couple of weeks ago at UFC 319.

  • Leon Edwards reveals UFC return plans for later this year

    Leon Edwards reveals UFC return plans for later this year

    UFC star Leon Edwards has revealed that he wants to make his return to the promotion later this year.

    As we know, Leon Edwards is a former welterweight champion in the UFC. He’s also responsible for one of the greatest knockouts in the history of mixed martial arts, when he put Kamaru Usman’s lights out to claim the belt at 170 pounds.

    While he did manage to successfully defend the belt twice, Leon Edwards also went on to suffer defeats to Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady – and he didn’t look great in either outing. As such, questions have been raised regarding his long-term future at the top of the welterweight division.

    In a recent interview following his brother Fabian’s big PFL knockout, Leon Edwards had the following to say about his plans for the next few months.

    Leon Edwards discusses possible UFC return in November

    “November for sure,” he replied when asked for a timeline on his comeback, before replying in the affirmative to Madison Square Garden as a venue. “I think JDM is fighting Islam Makhachev at MSG so I want to be on the same card, you know? 

    “I feel good, I’ve been training and helping Fabian in camp. Now I’m ready to go, I’ve waited for the division to settle a little bit and now I’m ready to go. I’m one or two away from getting my belt back so I’m locking in and I’m going to get it done.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    ‘Rocky’ is back.

  • Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales Targeted for UFC 320 Showdown in Guadalajara

    Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales Targeted for UFC 320 Showdown in Guadalajara

    UFC is working to finalize a welterweight bout between former champion Leon Edwards and undefeated contender Michael Morales for UFC 320, scheduled for September 13, 2025, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Both fighters have been approached for the matchup, which would take place at Arena Guadalajara as part of the UFC’s annual “Noche UFC” event.

    Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales

    Leon Edwards, 33, enters this potential fight after a difficult stretch in his career. ‘Rocky’ Edwards, who began his UFC tenure in 2014, rose through the ranks with a series of notable wins, including a knockout victory over Kamaru Usman to claim the UFC welterweight title in August 2022. He successfully defended the belt twice, defeating Usman in a trilogy and Colby Covington, before losing the title to Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision in July 2024.

    Edwards then suffered his first finish loss in the UFC, submitting to Sean Brady in March 2025. Prior to these setbacks, Leon Edwards was on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and was regarded as one of the division’s most consistent performers. He remains ranked among the top welterweights and is aiming to work his way back to title contention.

    Michael Morales, 25, represents a new generation in the division. The Ecuadorian fighter is undefeated in his professional career, holding an 18-0 record with 13 wins by knockout. Morales made his UFC debut in January 2022 and has since accumulated wins over opponents such as Trevin Giles, Adam Fugitt, Max Griffin, Jake Matthews, Neil Magny, and most recently, former title challenger Gilbert Burns.

    His victory over Burns, a first-round technical knockout in May 2025, further established Morales as a rising contender and earned him a second Performance of the Night bonus. Morales has a background in judo and wrestling, and has demonstrated finishing ability and composure against increasingly high-level competition. He is currently ranked in the top 10 of the welterweight division.

    Michael Morales Breaks His Silence After Statement Win Over Gilbert Burns.
    Image: @ufc/Instagram

    UFC 320

    The stakes for this fight are significant. For Leon Edwards, a win would halt his losing streak and reestablish him as a top contender in a division that has seen rapid turnover at the top. For Morales, a victory over a former champion would solidify his status as a legitimate title challenger and potentially set up a future shot at the belt. UFC 320 in Guadalajara is expected to be a major event, with both fighters looking to make a statement in front of an energized Mexican crowd.

    Leon Edwards
    Image: UFC.com
  • Fabian Edwards Out Of PFL World Tournament Days On From Brother Leon’s Latest UFC Setback

    Fabian Edwards Out Of PFL World Tournament Days On From Brother Leon’s Latest UFC Setback

    March has been a month to forget for the Edwards brothers.

    Fabian was in the corner of his brother Leon earlier this month as the former UFC welterweight champion looked to bounce back from his title defeat to Belal Muhammad last July. But inside The O2 in London, “Rocky” fell to the first two-fight losing skid of his career courtesy of Sean Brady’s grappling prowess.

    Leon’s preparation for that took place alongside training for Fabian’s own return under the PFL banner. After a second failed attempt at unseating Johnny Eblen last October, the Bellator veteran was set to be part of the inaugural PFL World Tournament.

    But while a first-round clash with Impa Kasanganay on April 18 would have provided a quick opportunity to boost morale in the team following Leon’s setback, that bout is no more.

    The promotion announced Sunday that Edwards has withdrawn from the middleweight tournament and has been replaced by the undefeated Jordan Newman.

    It remains to be seen when Fabian’s return will be rescheduled for, and what the PFL will have planned for him following a swift exit from the 2025 World Tournament.

  • Jorge Masvidal Targets ‘Fragile’ Leon Edwards For UFC Return Fight

    Jorge Masvidal Targets ‘Fragile’ Leon Edwards For UFC Return Fight

    It seems that Jorge Masvidal has never taken his eyes off of Leon Edwards.

    Masvidal hung up his MMA gloves in April 2023 after falling short against Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. However, the former BMF champion has never truly closed the door on his fighting career, frequently hinting at a comeback and actively working toward a UFC return.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Gamebred” weighed in on a potential comeback, name-dropping Edwards as the ideal opponent. He emphasized that a victory over the former UFC welterweight champion could pave the way for his third and possibly final shot at gold.

    “If the UFC wants to make this happen, give me the Leon fight, and then after that, I’ll fight whoever has that damn belt,” Jorge Masvidal said. “I know Dana [White] is probably going to see this.”

    Masvidal doubled down on his confidence, claiming that he holds a clear skill advantage over “Rocky,” which he believes would be enough to hand Edwards a defeat.

    “I know for one thing, he can’t wrestle me for five rounds. So, I don’t have to worry about the takedowns, and I know on the feet, he’s fragile compared to me. The opponents we’ve faced, what he’s been able to do to them, what I’ve been able to do to them for the most part, besides [Kamaru] Usman, I’ve been able to put a lot of guys away that he fought and went to decision with. The way he takes shots and the way I take shots, he’s just fragile compared to me, and if we get in that cage, I’m willing to prove how fragile he is compared to me.”

    Masvidal and Edwards have a long-standing rivalry that traces back to March 2019, when the American ignited their feud by attacking “Rocky” backstage at UFC London. The two were set to settle their differences inside the Octagon at UFC 269 in December 2021, but the fight never came to fruition as Masvidal was forced to withdraw due to injury.

    Jorge Masvidal was last seen in action in July 2024, where he squared off against former UFC rival Nate Diaz in a professional boxing match. Despite a hard-fought battle, “Gamebred” fell short, losing via a close majority decision.

    Masvidal’s final run in the UFC before retiring was far from stellar, as he managed just three wins in his last nine trips to the Octagon. His rough stretch included two failed attempts at capturing the 170-pound title against Kamaru Usman.

    Meanwhile, Edwards is arguably experiencing the toughest stretch of his career, suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time. After losing his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, the Jamaican-born Brit looked to rebound at UFC London last weekend. However, his return went from bad to worse as Sean Brady outclassed him before securing a fourth-round submission.

  • Colby Covington: Leon Edwards Has ‘Made Too Much Money’, Should Retire After UFC London

    Colby Covington: Leon Edwards Has ‘Made Too Much Money’, Should Retire After UFC London

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has reacted to his former opponent Leon Edwards’ second straight defeat.

    Edwards fell short in his first fight since losing the 170-pound title last July. Like against Belal Muhammad, “Rocky” had his grappling deficiencies exposed by Sean Brady in the UFC London main event.

    With that, the Jamaica-born Brit is now without a win since he recorded a successful title defense against Colby Covington in December 2023. And the last man to be beaten by Edwards is seemingly expecting that to remain the case.

    During his latest appearance on Submission Radio, “Chaos” claimed to have known what was ahead for the former champ in their fight.

    And believing that Edwards’ hunger has dissipated, he suggested retirement for the 33-year-old.

    “I thought that after I fought Leon, the motivation wasn’t there anymore,” Covington said. “I can tell in the fight, I broke my foot immediately and he did nothing. … I can tell after that fight he just wasn’t hungry anymore.

    “He’s made too much money. I made him too much money at that press conference,” Covington added. “So I just don’t think he’s motivated anymore and he should hang them up.”

  • UFC Rankings Report: Leon Edwards Ousted From P4P Top 15

    UFC Rankings Report: Leon Edwards Ousted From P4P Top 15

    In the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at The O2 in London, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: After his second straight defeat this past weekend, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards is no longer part of the pound-for-pound UFC rankings. He’s been replaced at #15 by lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: Mayra Bueno Silva’s stay in the flyweight UFC rankings was a short one. She’s been removed and replaced at #15 by JJ Aldrich.

    Women’s Bantamweight: At 135 pounds, Melissa Mullins has entered at #15, replacing Joselyne Edwards.

    Flyweight: After being removed last week, Kai Asakura has quickly returned to the 125-pound rankings. With his entry at #15 and Charles Johnson’s removal, Joshua Van is up one place to #14.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: At 155 pounds, BMF champ Max Holloway has suddenly moved above former opponent Dustin Poirier to #4. “The Diamond,” now at #5, is expected to retire following his next fight.

    Welterweight: The 170-pound division has a new top contender. As a result of his submission win over Edwards, Sean Brady has risen by four positions to #1. “Rocky” has only slipped two spots to #3, leaving him above Kamaru Usman (#4) and upcoming title challenger Jack Della Maddalena (#5)

    Middleweight: The 185-pound list has seen one change, with Roman Dolidze (#8) moving above Anthony Hernandez (#9).

    Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg has been rewarded with a three-place surge to #3 in the light heavyweight division after defeating Jan Blachowicz in London. That’s pushed Aleksandar Rakic (#6) out of the top five and Blachowicz back two places to #5.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Sean Brady Reveals What Leon Edwards Said After Ill-Advised Takedown Attempt At UFC London

    Sean Brady Reveals What Leon Edwards Said After Ill-Advised Takedown Attempt At UFC London

    It would seem that Leon Edwards was immediately aware of his major blunder during Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in London.

    Edwards made the walk in front of his home fans this past weekend, hoping to bounce back from his title loss to rival Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester last July. To do so, he was tasked with getting past Sean Brady.

    The Philadelphian proved to be a hurdle too tall for “Rocky,” however, as the grappling specialist once again exposed holes in the Brit’s wrestling game en route to a fourth-round guillotine submission.

    While appearing on ESPN’s UFC Post Show in the aftermath of his victory, Brady reflected on one particular turning point in the fight. During the third frame, after finding striking success, Edwards left most baffled when he chose to change levels and attempt a takedown.

    Brady was quick to defend against the shot and reverse position — a danger Edwards was apparently quick to realize once his takedown failed.

    “Horrible idea,” Sean Brady said of Leon Edwards’ takedown attempt. “I was like, ‘Thank you!’ He said — I think he said, ‘Oh, f*ck!’ He said something. Like, he knew he f*cked up. I was very happy when he did that.”

    Having defeated a former champion and the #1-ranked contender at 170 pounds, Brady’s championship hopes got a sizable boost as a result of his trip across the pond.

    Edwards, meanwhile, now finds himself with a first stoppage defeat and the opening losing skid of his professional MMA career.

  • ‘Still On 5 AM Time’ – Belal Muhammad Mocks Leon Edwards’ UFC London Loss

    ‘Still On 5 AM Time’ – Belal Muhammad Mocks Leon Edwards’ UFC London Loss

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad was close by to rub Saturday’s losing result for Leon Edwards in.

    Edwards returned to action in this weekend’s UFC London main event, making his first appearance since having his title reign brought to an emphatic end by Muhammad in Manchester last July.

    “Rocky” was hoping to bounce back on home soil inside The O2 in England’s capital, believing a victory would see him granted a shot at regaining the gold. But that script was flipped by Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

    Like Muhammad, the American contender took advantage of the holes in Edwards’ grappling game, controlling him and landing heavy damage across the first three rounds. And in the fourth, Brady found the finish by way of guillotine choke submission.

    Among those taking joy in the result was Muhammad, who fired shots at his former two-time opponent.

    One specific post saw him reference Leon Edwards’ claim that the overnight fight time last summer contributed to his title defeat, considering Saturday’s event took place in UK primetime.

    “Leon’s still on 5 am time zone,” Muhammad wrote on X.

    That marked one of many posts from the champ, who well and truly took the opportunity to poke fun at his longtime rival’s second straight setback.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from The O2 arena in London, England, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, welterweights Leon Edwards and Sean Brady clashed. While in the co-main event, Jan Blachowicz faced Carlos Ulberg in a light heavyweight matchup. 

    UFC Results: Main Card

    • Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via submission: R4, 1.39
    • Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Women’s Strawweight: Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via submission: R1, 4.32
    • Lightweight: Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via submission: R2, 3.42  
    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision (30-27×3) 

    Preliminary Card

    • Lightweight: Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29) 
    • Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 30-26)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission: R2, 3.22
    • Bantamweight: Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Lightweight: Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar

    Shauna Bannon earned a submission of Puja Tomar in the second round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere

    Nathaniel Wood got it done on the scorecards against Morgan Charriere in their featherweight matchup.

    Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic

    Chris Duncan submitted Jordan Vucenic in the second round of their lightweight bout.

    Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann

    Alexia Thainara locked in a rear-naked choke to submit Molly McCann in the first round.

    Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson

    Kevin Holland got it done on the scorecards against Gunnar Nelson.

    Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz

    In the co-main event, Carlos Ulberg got it done on the scorecards against Jan Blachowicz.

    https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1903579268338389466

    Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards

    In the main event, Sean Brady submitted Leon Edwards with a guillotine choke in the fourth round of their welterweight bout.

  • Watch Sean Brady Submit Leon Edwards In UFC London Main Event

    Watch Sean Brady Submit Leon Edwards In UFC London Main Event

    Sean Brady may have made his case for a welterweight title shot — or at worse, be one step away from a title shot — after finishing former champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London.

    Edwards appeared to get to a head start after the first round. He defended Brady’s takedown attempts more than once and focused on attacking the body in the meantime. The American, to his credit, landed a solid flurry during the round and scored a late takedown.

    Brady caught the former champion by surprise and scored a takedown mere seconds into the second frame. The wrestling specialist had complete control for a while, and when Edwards looked to break out, Brady looked for a guillotine.

    From side control, the Philadelphia standout then looked for a kimura. Brady managed to work his way into full mount and to the back of Edwards, landing ground-and-pound against the Brit’s movement and defenses.

    Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards In UFC London Main Event

    Brady pressed forward at the start of the third round. Edwards went for a takedown of his own and got caught, with his opponent threatening a choke for several seconds. Brady got back into full mount, eventually landing several head shots that cut open the former champion. Brady continued to dominate with top control, overwhelming and controlling a tiring Edwards.

    The fight found its way back to the ground in the fourth, where Brady was able to quickly lock up a guillotine choke and score a submission.

    Sean Brady has now won three straight, with the sole loss in his professional MMA career coming against the current welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad.

    This loss marked Leon Edwards’ first fight since losing the welterweight title to Muhammad at UFC 304 last July.

  • Watch Leon Edwards, Sean Brady Face Off At UFC London Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    Watch Leon Edwards, Sean Brady Face Off At UFC London Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    UFC London takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming UFC Fight Night event at The O2 in London, England, provides a chance for ex-welterweight champion Leon Edwards to bounce back after losing the title to Belal Muhammad last July. To return to winning ways, “Rocky” must get the better of another grappling specialist in Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

    Co-headlining will be former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, who will look to reinsert his name into the title conversation at 205 pounds almost two years on from his last bout opposite Alex Pereira. In his return, the Polish standout is tasked with defending his ranking against Carlos Ulberg.

    Elsewhere on the card, the likes of Gunnar Nelson, Molly McCann, Morgan Charriere, Nathaniel Wood, Jai Herbert, and Mick Parkin mark some of the European names looking to impress close to home.

    Ahead of the event, all fighters set to compete tomorrow successfully made weight, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC London ceremonial weigh-ins.

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 2 PM ET.

    UFC London Ceremonial Weigh-In Video

  • UFC London Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Card

    UFC London Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Card

    UFC London is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, March 22, at The O2 in London, England. The main card begins at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. After losing his grip on the title courtesy of Belal Muhammad’s efforts last July, “Rocky” will look to get back on track opposite another grappling specialist in Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ranked light heavyweight contenders Jan Blachowicz and Carlos Ulberg collide. The Polish ex-champ will be returning having overcome shoulder injuries that kept him away for close to two years. He’s tasked with stalling the rise of “Black Jag,” who has won seven straight and most recently beat Volkan Oezdemir to reach #6 in the rankings.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Molly McCann, Gunnar Nelson, Kevin Holland, Nathaniel Wood, Jordan Vucenic, Jai Herbert, and Marcin Tybura.

    UFC London: Edwards vs. Brady Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC London (as of 3/21), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Leon Edwards (+130) vs. Sean Brady (-155)
    • Jan Blachowicz (+245) vs. Carlos Ulberg (-305)
    • Gunnar Nelson (-120) vs. Kevin Holland (+100)
    • Molly McCann (+180) vs. Alexia Thainara (-218)
    • Jordan Vucenic (-455) vs. Chris Duncan (+350)
    • Nathaniel Wood (+120) vs. Morgan Charriere (-142)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Jai Herbert (-110) vs. Chris Padilla (-110)
    • Lone’er Kavanagh (-278) vs. Felipe dos Santos (+225)
    • Marcin Tybura (+105) vs. Mick Parkin (-125)
    • Christian Leroy Duncan (-575) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (+425)
    • Shauna Bannon (-170) vs. Puja Tomar (+142)
    • Nathan Fletcher (-122) vs. Caolan Loughran (+102)
    • Guram Kutateladze (-440) vs. Kaue Fernandes (+330)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7WRz9Ll3c
  • UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results.

    The mixed martial arts leader is back across the pond this week to stage its latest event from The O2 in England’s capital.

    Headlining will be former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. After losing his grip on the title courtesy of Belal Muhammad’s efforts last July, “Rocky” will look to immediately bounce back on home soil at the expense of another grappling specialist in Sean Brady.

    Elsewhere, the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Molly McCann, Gunnar Nelson, Nathaniel Wood, and Mick Parkin will all be in action

    UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady takes place on Saturday, March 22, at The O2 in London, England. The main card begins at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the results below.

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight: Leon Edwards (171lbs) vs. Sean Brady (170lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Jan Blachowicz (205lbs) vs. Carlos Ulberg (205lbs)
    • Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson (170lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (171lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Molly McCann (116lbs) vs. Alexia Thainara (116lbs)
    • Lightweight: Jordan Vucenic (155lbs) vs. Chris Duncan (155lbs)
    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood (145lbs) vs. Morgan Charriere (146lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Jai Herbert (156lbs) vs. Chris Padilla (155lbs)
    • Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh (126lbs) vs. Felipe dos Santos (125lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (250lbs) vs. Mick Parkin (260lbs)
    • Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan (186lbs) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (185lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon (116lbs) vs. Puja Tomar (116lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Nathan Fletcher (135lbs) vs. Caolan Loughran (136lbs)
    • Lightweight: Guram Kutateladze (155lbs) vs. Kaue Fernandes (155lbs)
  • Sean Brady Not Shocked He’s Favorite Over Leon Edwards: ‘Look At The Styles’

    Sean Brady Not Shocked He’s Favorite Over Leon Edwards: ‘Look At The Styles’

    Ahead of their March 22 UFC London welterweight main event, Sean Brady is favored at -170, while former champion Leon Edwards is the underdog at +140.

    This fight marks Edwards’ return since losing his title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 last summer. Brady, meanwhile, steps in for Jack Della Maddalena, who was moved to a title shot.

    The betting odds have shifted significantly this week, with Brady’s opening odds of -125 moving to -170 due to increased betting activity on him.

    Brady has a strong submission record, with all three of his UFC finishes coming via submission, including a kimura victory over Kelvin Gastelum. He is considered a strong contender in the welterweight division.

    Edwards has been taken down three or more times in six UFC fights. And despite victories over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, Sean Brady saw plenty of holes in the Brit’s game.

    While speaking with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter, Brady explained that he doesn’t pay attention to the odds for the fight but is unsurprised that he’s favored over the ex-titleholder.

    “I mean, I guess if I was to analyze it and take myself out of it, if you look at the styles…man’s been fighting grab orders his whole life, but a lot of them have given him trouble. You know, he was losing the Kamaru fight until he landed the head kick. I personally thought the third Kamaru fight was a lot closer than what people make it seem to be like. You could argue that fight for Kamaru. And then Belal did what Belal did to him.

    “If you look at ages of a lot of the guys he’s fighting, they’re a lot older, kind of at the end of his career. So I can understand why the odds are the way they are. But like I said, I’m not into any of that,” Sean Brady continued. “When I’m fighting, I’m ready for the best Leon Edwards, and you’re going to get the best Sean Brady.”

  • Belal Muhammad: Leon Edwards Will Lose To Brady Because Of ‘Flashbacks’ From UFC 304

    Belal Muhammad: Leon Edwards Will Lose To Brady Because Of ‘Flashbacks’ From UFC 304

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad believes the memory of his dominance over Leon Edwards will play a part in this weekend’s main event.

    Edwards is set to return to action on Saturday for the first time since losing his grip on the 170-pound gold last July. “Rocky” was comfortably beaten by Muhammad across five rounds in the UFC 304 headliner.

    In his pursuit of a second title reign, Edwards will share the Octagon with another grappler in the rising Sean Brady inside The O2 in London on March 22.

    Edwards anticipates a victory earning him a shot at regaining the welterweight title. The man who took it from him, however, doesn’t foresee a victory on home soil for the Brit.

    In a recent social media post, Muhammad reacted to Edwards’ continuing claim that injuries and a struggle to adapt to the 5 AM fight time impacted his performance last summer.

    “Remember the Name” pointed to such remarks as evidence that his longtime rival is “weak mentally,” and predicted that the memory of UFC 304 will ultimately hamper Edwards when he makes the walk in a few days’ time.

    “This guys full of excuses that’s why Brady will beat him,” Muhammad wrote on X. “I predict once Brady gets him down two or three times he’ll find a submission…because Leon’s weak mentally and he’ll have flash backs from what I did to him”

    While Leon Edwards looks to prove the champ wrong this weekend, Belal Muhammad will soon return to action himself.

    After having plans for his first defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov late last year scrapped due to injury, the Palestinian-American will instead put the belt on the line against Jack Della Maddalena at the Montreal-held UFC 315 pay-per-view on May 10.

  • UFC Veteran Says Leon Edwards Is Making ‘Excuses’ For Belal Muhammad Loss

    UFC Veteran Says Leon Edwards Is Making ‘Excuses’ For Belal Muhammad Loss

    Leon Edwards has blamed his July loss of the UFC welterweight title to Belal Muhammad on less-than-ideal circumstances. While potentially true, one retired fighter says the Brit is still making “excuses.”

    Edwards and his coach, Dave Lovell, have cited the unusually late fight time (approximately 5 a.m. local time) as a major factor, with “Rocky” describing his reactions as “slow” and Lovell estimating his fighter performed at only “30 to 40 percent” of his potential.

    Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown understands Edwards’ struggles, having experienced similar issues throughout his own career. However, he believes that publicly airing these grievances after a defeat is generally perceived negatively.

    “I understand where Leon’s coming from, especially being in his home country,” Brown said of Leon Edwards on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “He’s certainly accustomed to a certain rhythm, a routine of sleeping and waking. Belal coming from another country, there’s some excitement and everything’s new. The time zone is new. You’re going to be adjusting to the time zone regardless.

    “I guess I could see it a little bit, but we’re right on track with the same thing we always say. You can’t take away from Belal. He fought amazing in that fight. That’s part of being a fighter. You have to deal with shit like that. Things like that have thrown me off in the past, too, 100 percent during fights. I know it. I don’t necessarily say it publicly. But it is factual. It does happen but that’s being a fighter.”

    Brown, a veteran of 15 years in the UFC, recognizes the significant impact that external factors can have on a fighter’s performance. He understands that, beyond skill and ability, numerous outside-the-cage issues have influenced his own outcomes.

    Furthermore, Brown acknowledges that regardless of the candor displayed by fighters and their coaches after a loss, the public reaction from fans, fellow fighters, and the media will inevitably follow a predictable pattern.

    Leon Edwards is set to return to action this weekend, once again on home soil. Unlike last July’s pay-per-view event, Saturday’s UFC London card will take place in UK primetime, perhaps boosting Edwards’ chances of a rebound victory at the expense of Sean Brady.

  • Leon Edwards Backs Jack Della Maddalena To Dethrone Belal Muhammad At UFC 315

    Leon Edwards Backs Jack Della Maddalena To Dethrone Belal Muhammad At UFC 315

    Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards doesn’t expect the man who removed him from the division’s throne to occupy it for much longer.

    After losing his grip on the 170-pound title courtesy of Belal Muhammad last July, Edwards was expecting to return to action opposite Jack Della Maddalena in London this weekend.

    That changed last month, however, when the Australian contender was pulled from the UFC Fight Night main event to challenge Muhammad at UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal. Edwards, meanwhile, will now battle Sean Brady on March 22.

    Ahead of his appearance at The O2, Edwards has been vocal in stating that a victory will earn him a quick shot at returning to the welterweight mountaintop.

    While he’d like nothing more than to exact revenge on Muhammad, he seemingly doesn’t foresee “Remember the Name” still being on the throne by the time he gets back to it.

    “If I had to put money on it, I’d probably favor JDM,” Leon Edwards said during an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned. “I feel like JDM, his boxing is what will probably shut him (Muhammad) down. And he’s a good anti-grappler, JDM. It’s easy to take him down, but his scrambles on the floor are good. I feel like Belal won’t be enough to hold him down for that long. So maybe JDM, if I had to put money on it.”

    Muhammad’s first title defense was expected to come against Shavkat Rakhmonov. But after an injury to the champion scrapped that last December, the Kazakh contender is now the one ruled out.

    The Palestinian-American’s clash with Della Maddalena will mark one of two title bouts on the UFC 315 card, with Valentina Shevchenko also putting her flyweight title on the line opposite France’s Manon Fiorot.

  • Belal Muhammad Laughs Off Leon Edwards’ Plans For UFC Title Fight In 2025: ‘Someone Tell Him…’ 

    Belal Muhammad Laughs Off Leon Edwards’ Plans For UFC Title Fight In 2025: ‘Someone Tell Him…’ 

    Leon Edwards has his sights set on a shot at redemption against Belal Muhammad before year’s end. To that, however, the UFC welterweight champion has told his rival not to hold his breath.

    Edwards’ reign as kingpin at 170 pounds came to an end last July when he headlined the UFC 304 pay-per-view on home soil in Manchester, England.

    Following successful defenses opposite Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, “Rocky” was looking to continue his pursuit of Georges St-Pierre’s divisional records at the expense of a former adversary in Muhammad.

    But while the Jamaica-born Brit largely got the better of exchanges in their first fight before it came to a premature end due to an eye poke, the same can’t be said for their rematch, which was largely dominated by the challenger.

    In the aftermath, Edwards put the blame on the early morning fight time and has vowed to reclaim the gold by the end of 2025. His journey toward accomplishing that starts with a London main event opposite Sean Brady on March 22.

    But although the former champ expects a victory to net him a shot at the belt, Muhammad has laughed off any suggestion of a trilogy fight coming to fruition anytime soon.

    “(laughing) someone tell him he got three long years ahead of him,” Muhammad wrote on X.

    Muhammad’s comments mark a turn of the tables of sorts, with the reigning champ long accusing Edwards of avoiding their rematch following the no contest at the Apex back in 2021.

    “Remember the Name” waited three years before being given his first opportunity at the title, one which he ultimately made the most of across the pond last year.