‘I can see it happening,’ says Leon Edwards as he responds to UFC rival’s calls for historic mega fight before UFC 304

LEON EDWARDS admits he foresees a historic champion versus champion fight with Islam Makhachev coming to fruition.

Edwards will look to make his third welterweight defense later this month in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, where he will rematch Belal Muhammad.

4

4

The Brummie have plenty of contenders in the division waiting for him should he overcome the challenge of Muhammad, who he fought without competition in March 2021.

Lightweight champion Makhachev has expressed interest in challenging his former American Kickboxing Academy training partner for the 170-pound strap.

And Edwards believes there’s a good chance they’ll end up sharing the octagon in the near future.

“Of course [I’d fight Makhachev]”, ‘Rocky’ said talkSPORT. “I feel like we both have work to do within our division.

“Makhachev just fought the first real lightweight [Dustin Poirier].

“He fought Volk, but this is the first lightweight he’s fought.

“He is on a streak of three fights in defense and after beating Belal this will be my third too.

“We’re both on similar paths, so I can see that happening in the future.”

BEST UK BOOKMAKER FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERSs

4

Edwards, 32, hopes a showdown with Makachev isn’t the only champion-versus-champion showdown he’s involved in.

The Team Renegade standout hopes to have the opportunity to become a two-division champion when he moves up to middleweight.

The 185-pound title is currently in the hands of South African Dricus Du Plessis, who will defend the belt in a fight against rival Israel Adesanya next month.

Edwards is one of the biggest welterweights in the division and believes he would not be undersized if he moved up in weight.

He said, “I feel like I’m the size [to move up to middleweight] and the ability to do so, then why not pursue greatness.”