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Leon Edwards has been approached for a bout against Islam Makhachev, and both might fight it out at UFC 308. “This is my dream. I want to be in the history and people know me like double champ. This is my dream. If I have chance, a small chance, I will get. If you want a great legacy, you have to get second belt. It’s my opinion,” revealed Makhachev following his impressive victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. The lightweight champion might be closer to achieving his dream, as Dana White is looking toward booking Edwards vs Makhachev for a welterweight bout in October if Arman Tsarukyan fails to make the cut.
Before the potential bout at UFC 308, Leon Edwards will be clashing against Belal Muhammad to defend his UFC Welterweight Champion title. However, looking at the rumors swirling in the UFC world, it seems that the promotion has already ruled Muhammad out and the match-up now lies in the hands of Tsarukyan.
What is the condition for Edwards vs Makhachev to be true?
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A page on X named MMA GODZ revealed, “The UFC has reportedly made inquiries to both Islam Makhachev & Leon Edwards about a potential match up at #UFC308 just in case Arman Tsarukyan refuses to make the “anti-bullying” video making him eligible to fight.” Amran Tsarukyan has repeatedly shown his interest in fighting Makhachev for the lightweight title but is serving a 9-month suspension for trying to punch a fan during UFC 300.
BREAKING NEWS 🗞️
The UFC have reportedly made enquiries to both Islam Makhachev & Leon Edwards about a potential match up at #UFC308 just in case Arman Tsarukyan refuses to make the “anti bullying” video making him eligible to fight. pic.twitter.com/Ygd55eDKBf
— 𝙈𝙈𝘼 𝙂𝙊𝘿𝙕 (@mmagodzz) July 17, 2024
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), however, is willing to shorten his suspension to six months if he agrees to make an anti-bullying video, and the fighter is also supposedly happy to complete that. He said in an interview with Sports 24, “I will shoot that anti-bullying video at the beginning of August, and my suspension ends on [October] 13th.”
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Tsarukyan has been suffering ever since he fought Charles Oliveira. This is because, before the fight, he was provoked by a fan and tried to punch him.
What’s your perspective on:
Dana White's move to approach Leon Edwards—smart strategy or desperate measure?
Have an interesting take?
Arman Tsaryukyan to apologize for punching the fan?
In an interview with Yaroslav Stepanov, Tsarukyan confirmed that he would be making the video by August. He seemed to be pretty sure that he was going to be Makhachev’s next opponent. He said, “No, they won’t because we have a verbal agreement that I’m fighting for the title. I don’t know if he [Islam Makhachev] was told that. But they told me I’m next in line.”
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However, he also insinuated that he was just doing the anti-bullying video to get to the fight as fast as possible, and only cared about the belt and not who his opponent was. With the title shot on his radar, the fighter is ready to go to all lengths to secure the fight as he mentioned, “I will shoot that [anti-bullying] video at the beginning of August and my disqualification ends on September 13. I just need to make that video. Then hopefully, I’m going to fight at the end of October or early November. I have to do it [promo video] to help my career and it doesn’t bother me. It will only do good for my career.”
What are your thoughts about the new development? Let us know in the comments below.
Debate
Dana White's move to approach Leon Edwards—smart strategy or desperate measure?