via Getty
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JULY 20: Leon Edwards of Jamaica stands in his corner prior to facing Rafael Dos Anjos 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)
via Getty
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JULY 20: Leon Edwards of Jamaica stands in his corner prior to facing Rafael Dos Anjos 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)
The long-awaited grudge match between Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal is off.
The two men were scheduled to face each other at UFC 269. However, Masvidal was forced to withdraw from the fight because of an undisclosed injury. It is unfortunate as people were excited about the matchup because of the history. The winner of the bout was also being tipped to fight for the welterweight title next.
Jorge Masvidal was forced to withdraw from his UFC 269 bout with Leon Edwards due to an undisclosed injury, UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell told @bokamotoESPN.
There is no current update on whether Edwards will remain on the card or if the matchup will be rescheduled. pic.twitter.com/9tHOqEsQMJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 10, 2021
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The rivalry between the two started at UFC Fight Night 147. After the event, Masvidal was in an interview, when Edwards seemed to have passed a remark towards ‘Gamebred.’ He didn’t take it lightly, and got in Edwards’s face, and landed a few strikes, which left ‘Rocky’ with a cut.
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Now it will be interesting to see what the UFC does with Edwards. It is still not confirmed if he will stay on the card and fight someone else.
A lot of fighters are willing to step in to replace Masvidal and take the fight on short notice. The number 2 ranked UFC welterweight is one of the guys ready to fight ‘Rocky.’
Gilbert Burns is ready to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 269
‘Durinho‘ is ready to fight at UFC 269. Gilbert Burns, who is coming off an impressive unanimous decision win over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, wants to take on Leon Edwards. Burns and Edwards don’t really like each other, and Burns even called him a coward for initially ducking Masvidal.
After the news of Masvidal came out, he was quick to call out Edwards. He retweeted the news and said, “What’s up @Leon_edwardsmma you already on training camp! Let me know #UFC269.”
What’s up @Leon_edwardsmma you already on training camp! Let me know #UFC269 https://t.co/l8zoWFXSkd
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 10, 2021
However, Edwards doesn’t seem too keen to fight anyone else except the champion, Kamaru Usman. After the news of Masvidal’s withdrawal, he took to Twitter to say he wasn’t really surprised and called him a fraud.
‘Rocky’ tweeted, “Disappointed but honestly I knew this fraud didn’t want to fight me anyway. He was just a stop off on the way to the title. The goal remains the same. Much needed family time now, @usman84kg. I will see you soon.”
Disappointed but honestly I knew this fraud didn't want to fight me anyway. He was just a stop off on the way to the title. The goal remains the same. Much needed family time now, @usman84kg i will see you soon.
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) November 10, 2021
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Edwards is currently on a 10 fight undefeated streak. His last loss came against the current champion Kamaru Usman, and few people will be surprised if the UFC gives him the title fight after what has transpired.
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Everyone will have to wait and see how the UFC approaches this situation and what decision they come up with.
What do you think of the situation? Should Edwards fight for the title? Let us know in the comments!
