Islam Makhachev‘s double-champion dreams might not come to fruition anytime soon. The easiest way to do that would be to move up one division to welterweight and fight for the title there. However, among the many other things going against the Dagestani, there is a fresh hurdle he faces in his double champ dream– former welterweight champ Leon Edwards.

Leon Edwards lost everything at his UFC 304 clash against Belal Muhammad last July. Not only did ‘Bully B’ take the Englishman’s title, he lived up to his moniker and absolutely bullied ‘Rocky’ for the five rounds. The famously fickle MMA community was reminded all of a sudden about how ‘boring’ Edwards’ point-fighting striking-first style was and how he had a proclivity for decisions. A picture of Belal Muhammad dumping the Birmingham native on his head like a child in the second round of their UFC 304 clash has become a meme and features in the comments section whenever Edwards is discussed.

But ‘Rocky’ is determined to rise from the ashes and beat Muhammad despite no one giving him a chance, just like the fictional boxer he borrows his moniker from did to Clubber Lang in Rocky 3.

“I’d love to run it back with Belal. I feel like, its difficult to say who wins. Like I said, I prefer Belal, because like I said, he was the last guy to beat me, you know. And even though I had an off night, I feel like that’s what I need to get back, you know. I truly believe that I am the better fighter between me and him and [I want to] go out there and prove it again. But now I’m focusing on Sean Brady. Go out there in London and get rid of him,” Edwards said on his YouTube channel.

Besides, Makhachev has his hands full at lightweight. As much as he might not want to do rematches, the UFC and Dana White are unlikely to pass up on Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan fighting for the lightweight title against the Russian. Add to that mix UFC 313 c0-main event winner Justin Gaethje. Gaethje is a fresh matchup for the champion, but Oliveira and Tsarukyan might be more deserving contenders. Mind you, Gaethje has already fought and lost two title bouts. So it’s a murky state of affairs at 155 lbs and letting the champion run off to another division would be akin to the matchmakers shooting themselves in the foot.

Meanwhile, Edwards certainly does have a better shot at fighting for the welterweight title than Islam Makhachev. The Englishman is in the right weight class already for one, has been a former champion, and is a top-ranked welterweight. None of which Makhachev can claim. But is Edwards right? Could he indeed get a title shot next if he wins his upcoming fight with Sean Brady?

Leon Edwards and Islam Makhachev will have to wait until the boogeyman gets the title shot

Leon Edwards is set to face the promising young prospect, #5 ranked welterweight Sean Brady at UFC London on March 22. ‘Rocky’ is currently ranked #1 in the division which may make you believe that he may indeed get a title rematch with Muhammad if he beats Brady.

But you would be wrong. ‘Bully B’ is set to face another young gun, Australian #4 Jack Della Maddalena, for his first title defense at UFC 215 on May 5. And whoever has the title after that fight will almost definitely fight undefeated, #2 Shavkat Rakhomonov.

Twice the UFC has tried to make Muhammad-Rakhmonov, and twice it has failed, both times because of health issues. Rakhmonov is incredibly popular among fans, having impressively finished all but one opponent in his professional career and has done more than enough to warrant a title shot.

This is why Leon Edwards is at least one rung below Shavkat Rakhmonov on the title ladder. But after that, Edwards will probably get a title shot, if he can beat Sean Brady convincingly next Saturday. And since the UFC isn’t too keen on its champions moving up, especially with another divisional belt around their waist, Islam Makhachev will probably have to wait until after Edwards for a welterweight title shot What do you think about Leon Edwards’ take on the Belal Muhammad rematch?