Leon Edwards has stated that he’d prefer to sit around and wait for a title shot, rather than fight Jorge Masvidal, but says the UFC could change his mind with a good offer.
Edwards earned a largely one-sided unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 263, despite a late fifth-round scare. ‘Rocky’ has now won nine of his last ten fights, with one no-contest against Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21.
In his post-fight interview, Edwards called for a title fight with Kamaru Usman, but Dana White was quick to shut down talks of a rematch between the reigning champion and the Brit. Instead, the UFC president announced that Colby Covington will get the next shot at the title.
‘I Deserve A Title Shot’
Speaking to the UFC (as transcribed by MMA Fighting), Edwards said that he’s done enough to deserve a title shot and is prepared to wait his turn.
“Let’s say they do give Colby the title shot, I’m not fighting no one else unless it’s a title shot. That’s just it,” Edwards said. “I’m not gonna start fighting 10, 11, 12 fights and still ain’t got a title shot. I’ve earned my way. I didn’t bitch and moan when I took my loss against Kamaru. I worked my way back up to now have a 9/10 fight win streak. I feel like I deserve it.
“Colby went and got knocked out for the title shot, went and got a weird win [against Tyron Woodley], and now is back in for a title shot, which is f***ed up. It is what it is but let’s say they do give him the title shot, then I’ll fight the winner later on this year but I’m not fighting no one else.”
Fighting Jorge Masvidal
When it comes to the general opinion on who Edwards should fight next, Masvidal’s name has been on every fan’s lips, with Dana White also saying that a fight between the two arch-rivals is always on the cards.
The 29 year old, who has called out Masvidal several time since their infamous ‘three-piece and a soda’ incident backstage at UFC London in 2019, says he’s moved on now.
“I know they’re talking about Masvidal but I’ve been asking to fight Masvidal f***ing two or three years ago,” Edwards said. “Like, running him down but he kept turning me down and saying ‘Nah, I don’t want to fight,’ even though the UFC wanted it. Now I feel he’s just been chinned for the world title, I don’t feel I need to do that now. I’ll wait for my title shot. I worked hard to get here and that’s just more time to plan.”
However, Edwards said that the UFC could change his mind if they come up with a good offer.
“Let’s just see how it plays out,” Edwards said. “If they come to me with a good deal and good money, probably. I might think about it. But right now my mind is totally focused on the world title shot….
“[2022] will be my year. I’ll be a world champion by the end of the year. I can feel it. Everything happens for a reason and however it plays out, it plays out, but I will be a world champion by the end of the year.”
Should Leon Edwards wait for a title shot or fight Jorge Masvidal?
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