Super fights are becoming increasingly common in the UFC. They are exciting and full of anticipation. Welterweight champion Leon Edwards sets his sights on a massive super fight against lightweight king Islam Makhachev. However, he wants them to take care of other businesses first.
Sky Sports recently interviewed Edwards. The welterweight champion was open to the possibility of this super fight. However, he felt that Islam Makhachev had some work left in his division. Moreover, Edwards admitted to having contenders lined up in his division as well. As such, the super fight will occur after clearing the respective divisions.
[He just had his] first defense against an actual lightweight. I feel like he’s got a few more lightweights he’s gotta go through first before even thinking about moving up…It’s a massive fight. Feel like I’ve got work to do within my division first, then the super fights will come.
Leon Edwards via Sky Sports
Islam Makhachev’s hard-fought title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 was monumental. The Dagestani fighter immediately called for a showdown with Edwards in an attempt to become a two-division champion. The callout sent shockwaves through the MMA world, igniting dreams of another champion vs. champion mega-fight.
Leon Edwards welcomes a fight against Islam Makhachev, but says they both have some work to do in their division before it can happen:
“[He just had his] first defense against an actual lightweight. I feel like he’s got a few more lightweights he’s gotta go through first before… pic.twitter.com/V1sV6n48jw
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 4, 2024
Leon Edwards is set to fight against Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304. As for Makhachev, he would potentially fight against Arman Tsarukyan next, probably by the end of this year. It remains to be seen if the UFC would be interested in making the super fight after that if both are still champions.
Leon Edwards wants to fight for the middleweight belt soon
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is already looking beyond the 170-pound division. Solidifying his reign atop the welterweight ranks remains the top priority. However, “Rocky” has his sights set on an eventual move to capture a second UFC title.
Leon Edwards wants another belt (via Sky Sports)In a recent interview, the British striker outlined an ambitious multi-year plan involving multiple welterweight title defenses. This would culminate in a “big middleweight fight,” potentially in late 2025.
My excitement is me getting another belt. My plan was to go next year. Defend my [welterweight] belt twice this year, that will be four defenses. Maybe one more [defense] next year, that’s five defenses. Then later on in the year [2025], have a big middleweight fight. That’s six title fights…That’s my goal. Two [defenses] this year, one next year, then end of next year move up [to middleweight].
Leon Edwards via Sky Sports
Leon Edwards plans to fight for the middleweight belt late next year 🏆
“My excitement is me getting another belt. My plan was to go next year. Defend my belt twice this year, that will be four defenses. Maybe one more [defense] next year, that’s five defenses.
Then later on in… pic.twitter.com/JEUqOyEPDG
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 4, 2024
The 32-year-old continued mapping out his championship roadmap with strategic calculation. Edwards must first get through his next welterweight title defense against Belal Muhammad. Beyond Muhammad, murderers’ row still awaits at 170 pounds. Rising Kazakh contender Shavkat Rakhmonov and Australian phenom Jack Della Maddalena among others loom as potential future threats to Edwards’ throne.
