Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad are set to clash against each other at UFC 304. This would be their second matchup, with their previous fight overturned due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards. Being the champion is just like painting a bullseye on one’s back. After all. everyone wants a title shot. ‘Rocky’ even received challenges from big names like Islam Makhachev. But Conor McGregor isn’t too far away from the welterweight realm, provided he finally returns to the UFC. 

Days before the date for UFC Manchester, Edwards’ coach revealed a couple of names that he wanted the welterweight champ to go up against. Needless to say, McGregor was the prime choice for ‘Rocky’. 

Leon Edwards’ coach wants him to fight Conor McGregor

On the 22nd of July, 2024, Coach Dave Lovell appeared in an interview with the ‘Submission Radio’. Therein, Lovell was asked who he wished for Edwards to go against in case he rose victorious against ‘Remember The Name’. Not too long ago, when the MMA world was still excited about the fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler, ‘The Notorious’ claimed that he wanted to fight ‘Rocky’ for the championship belt after defeating ‘Iron’. 

The cancelation of the much-anticipated matchup sent the whole wide world into a great depression. However, the welterweight champ’s coach still wanted a fight against the Irish mixed martial artist. He said, “If we’re looking for a fight financially, that can obviously pay more than the average, would be obviously, the fight with Conor. Conor has mentioned that he would move up to welterweight and fight Leon, if he was to beat Chandler. But that went out the window.”

But the callout from Makhachev was pretty prominent as well. The lightweight champion has asked the MMA promotion for a chance to compete for the welterweight belt and strive to become a double champion. However, the Dagestani’s challenge was overshadowed by McGregor’s stardom and the money that came with it. Lovell continued, “Well, I haven’t really got nobody I would say I would like Leon to fight apart from obviously, if he should fight Conor. It’d be a great name to have on his CV. And plus, it’s a mega-money fight. If that was to happen in Ireland, could you imagine? But apart from that, I’ve got nobody special, brother.” To top it off, even Edwards previously declared that he wanted to fight McGregor at the Madison Square Garden. 

While Makhachev had plans to move up in the weight class, Edwards also had similar plans. Assuming that he successfully defended his title against Muhammad, he wanted to move up to the middleweight category. Let’s see what the champ had to say.

‘Rocky’ wants to follow Islam Makhachev and move up a weight class

In a conversation with ‘talkSPORT MMA’, Edwards was asked if he would accept the Dagestani champ’s challenge and put the welterweight title on the line. However, ‘Rocky’ seemed a bit unsure about it. It was right after Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier and defended his title for the third time. Without a doubt, if Edwards wins over Muhammad, he would match Makhachev’s three successful title defense streak. However, a fight between the two wasn’t a probability according to Edwards. The WW champ said, “He’s on a three-defense streak. After I beat Belal, I’d be at my third as well. So, both on a similar paths. So I can see that happen in the future. Also, I’d like to move up and challenge for middleweight, you know.”

On the other hand, he was quite impressed with ‘The Notorious’ and his ability to trash-talk. But if he wants to move to the middleweight division, Lovell’s dream of watching a fight between Edwards and McGregor would remain just a dream, unless the ‘Mystic Mac’ also decides to move to the MW division. But it all depends on when the Irishman will return.

Do you think McGregor vs. Edwards will ever materialize? Or should ‘Rocky’ wait and fight against Makhachev? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.