The UFC’s welterweight division has generated plenty of headlines in 2020, but #3 ranked Leon Edwards has had to watch things play out from afar.
Edwards was all set to face Tyron Woodley in London back in March before the even fell through due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
This means the Birmingham fighter, who is riding a streak of eight victories, hasn’t competed for over a year since his unanimous decision win over former UFC lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos.
Stuck in the UK, “Rocky” has seen former scheduled opponent Woodley fight once already – he also has a contest booked with Colby Covington in a couple of weeks’ time – as well as his division’s belt being defended among plenty of other big fights at 170 pounds while he awaits word on a new opponent.
However, while it’s already September, Edwards says he’s determined to compete at least once in 2020.
“It’s an annoying position to be in,” Edwards told ESPN. “I’m the only guy in the top 10 who is not living in the U.S., I believe. But these guys have to fight me soon.
“I’ll 100 percent fight this year. I’m 29 and I need to stay active. These guys in the top 5 are all [in their mid-30s]. I’m the youngest in the top 15, probably. I want to be active.”
One fight Edwards has called for is with Jorge Masvidal. The two caused a storm last year when Masvidal threw punches – or a “three-piece and a soda” – at Edwards for interrupting the former’s interview following his knockout win over Darren Till in London last year.
Masvidal appears to be uninterested in that matchup. Instead, the UFC looks set to book a rematch between “Gamebred” and Nate Diaz for a second go at the “BMF” title they contested late in 2019.
Edwards believes Masvidal is dodging a fight with him.
“Stop being a p***y and f****n let’s fight, right?” Edwards was quoted as saying – something Nate Diaz later picked up on. “You say you’re the Street Jesus and you’re [the] BMF, let’s prove the case.
“You can’t go out there and fight a guy you just f***in’ battered for three rounds and then do it again and say you’re the BMF. That’s not how it works, so stop being a p***y and step up.”
