‘Can see that happening’, says Leon Edwards as he responds to UFC rival’s calls for historic mega fight ahead of UFC 304
LEON EDWARDS admits he could foresee a historic champion-versus-champion fight with Islam Makhachev coming to fruition.
Edwards will look to make his third defence of the welterweight later this month in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, where he’ll rematch Belal Muhammad.
The Brummie has a wealth of contenders in the division awaiting him should he see off the challenge of Muhammad, who he fought to a no contest in March 2021.
Lightweight champion Makhachev has expressed an interest in challenging his former American Kickboxing Academy training partner for the 170lbs strap.
And Edwards believes there’s a strong chance they could end up sharing the octagon in the near future.
“For sure [I’d fight Makhachev],” ‘Rocky’ told talkSPORT. “I feel like we’ve both got work to do within our division.
“Makhachev has just fought the first proper lightweight [Dustin Poirier].
“He fought Volk but this is the first actual lightweight he has fought.
“He’s on a three-fight defence streak and after I beat Belal that will be my third as well.
“We are both on similar paths so I can see that happening in the future.”
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Edwards, 32, is hoping a showdown with Makachev isn’t the only champ-vs-champ he’s involved in.
The Team Renegade standout hopes to be given the opportunity to become a two-division champ by moving up to middleweight.
The 185lbs title is currently in the possession of South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, who will defend the belt in a grudge match with rival Israel Adesanya next month.
Edwards is one of the bigger welterweights in the division and believes he wouldn’t be undersized if he moved up in weight.
He said: “I feel like I’ve got the size [to move up to middleweight] and the skill for it so why not chase greatness.”