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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JULY 20: Leon Edwards of Jamaica is interviewed after defeating Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil by unanimous decision in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on July 20, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1156968516.jpg?width=600)
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JULY 20: Leon Edwards of Jamaica is interviewed after defeating Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil by unanimous decision in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on July 20, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Perennial UFC welterweight contender, Leon Edwards, is set to fight Belal Muhammad this weekend in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card. Edwards was originally set to fight Khamzat Chimaev. But that bout got canceled multiple times due to health issues on both sides.
The UFC has moved on from that bout and Edwards will finally end his almost 2-year long Octagon hiatus this weekend against Muhammad. ‘Rocky’ is currently on an 8-fight winning streak in the welterweight division, which puts him behind only champion Kamaru Usman.
The Brit believes he has done enough to earn a shot at the title. A win this weekend will further solidify himself as the No.1 contender in a jam-packed welterweight division.
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“I think after this fight I deserve title shot. That’d be nine, that’d be nine in a row. You know, like, that’s the third most of the promotion. What more do I need to do? You know what I mean, I’ve proven I’ll fight anyone. I’m even going down from No.3 to No. 13,” said Edwards.
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JULY 20: Leon Edwards of Jamaica reacts after defeating Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil by unanimous decision in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on July 20, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“No one, no one else in top five is taking these risks. What what I’m doing, you know, they’re all sitting down and talking shit in the social media- social media fighters. I’m here trying to fight anybody, you know, I mean, and so we’ll see,” he added.
Edwards has certainly more than established himself as a deserving candidate for the title. However, he is yet to fight anybody in the top 5 of the division.
Is Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 2 the fight to make next?
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‘Rocky‘ and ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ fought in 2015 with Usman earning a decision. However, both fighters are entirely different as they have evolved a lot. A rematch is an enticing prospect for the fans and the UFC. Many believe Edwards possesses the necessary skill set to stop the champion’s ever-increasing winning streak.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: (R-L) Leon Edwards of England kicks Gunnar Nelson of Iceland in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at The O2 Arena on March 16, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
But the Brit needs to focus on the job on his hand this weekend. Despite ranked No.13, ‘Remember The Name’ won’t be a pushover for Edwards. Many believe this fight is actually a risky one for Edwards as he doesn’t have much to win, but a lot to lose. But should he come out triumphant, it will be hard to deny him a shot at the title.
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Does Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards deserve a title shot next? Let us know your thoughts.
Also Read: How Did Robert Whittaker Become A Champion?
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