Leon Edwards has desperately wanted to return to the Octagon and can ultimately accomplish that on March 13.
The Anglo-Jamaican star hasn’t fought since the summer time of 2019 but it isn’t for lack of making an attempt.
Leon Edwards has not fought since his victory over Rafael dos Anjos in July 2019
A showdown with Tyron Woodley in London final March was known as off due to the COVID pandemic, after which three failed struggle makes an attempt with Khamzat Chimaev, with the newest scheduled for March 13.
While not the rising star Shimaev forward of him, Edwards will nonetheless seem on the date and Belal Muhammad, who solely fought on February 14, has stepped up.
Muhammad, an 18-3 fighter on a four-game profitable streak, is presently thirteenth in the welterweight desk but Birmingham native Edwards mentioned UFC talkSPORT president Dana White wanted him to face Colby Covington first.
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Covington is certainly one of the most controversial figures in the UFC
“When the fight was called off for the third time, I was happy that the UFC offered to keep me on the card,” he mentioned.
“Because earlier than, when it was canceled a second time in January for Fight Island, they had been like immediately rescheduling. This time it was like OK let’s simply maintain on the map and discover another person.
“Right away, Dana mentioned we wanted you to struggle Colby Covington. I mentioned OK, I’ll be up for it. So he went to Colby and so they informed you you wanted to struggle Leon Edwards and he simply blatantly refused it.
“He made excuses like all the finest do. So we went down to the division to see who was obtainable and Belal was man sufficient to intervene.
Edwards and Chimaev had been initially scheduled to meet on December 19 after which in January earlier than their March showdown also fell.
“He solely fought two weeks in the past or one thing, so he was already in good condition and mentioned he would. So, respect to Belal for his dedication.
The UFC was making an attempt to make Jorge Masvidal in opposition to Covington but that struggle fell aside and it now appears like Masvidal will problem Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title leaving Covington in limbo.
Edwards believes the American who divides seemed for a approach to struggle him and has completed the similar with Masvidal.
“I do not know, but from the approach it sounds it appears like Coby Covington is the one making excuses [with Masvidal].
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Leon Edwards is on an eight-game profitable streak and plenty of imagine he did sufficient to win the world title
“He makes excuses by saying he desires a title shot instantly and demanding what he desires, but he isn’t ready to struggle for the title.
“He has to struggle certainly one of the finest gamers in the division to even earn a title shot and for some cause he desires to sit down and wait. I do not know what he’s going to do.
“I’m going to go out there and beat Belal Muhammed and after this fight I’m going to look to the title and see what’s available,” Edwards mentioned.
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