Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards and Islam Makhachev have been the standout fighters of their respective divisions. Their growing dominance in their division is leading to a potential ‘Champion vs. Champion’ fight in the near future. Leon Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell, comes in and sheds light on this brewing matchup between the welterweight king and the lightweight king.
Leon Edwards currently reigns as the undisputed UFC welterweight champion. The 32-year-old Brit has significant victories over Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, and Nate Diaz. On the other hand, Islam Makhachev stands as the UFC lightweight champion. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Leon Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell gave a brief about Edwards vs. Makhachev’s potential fight. He even highlighted Rocky’s physical build is bigger than the Dagestani fighter.
Sizewise Leon’s physically bigger than him, outreaches him. So again he’s going to resort to what he knows which is his wrestling. So, it’s just unfortunate that you look at the last guys Leon fought, Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers, now Belal, a wrestler. So you know, Islam is not known for his striking, they’re known for their wrestling… Leon’s improving…
Dave Lovell via Submission Radio
Lovell gave inputs about Edwards’ wrestling as well. He even highlighted the improvement Edwards in the last few months in his wrestling. However, the 32-year-old British has bluntly rejected Makhachev’s intention of fighting him so soon. Edwards believes Makhachev has a long list of lightweight contenders against whom he has to defend first before asking for a champ vs. champ fight. Among whom #1 ranked Arman Tsarukyan comes out as the next fight for the Dagestani.
Whereas Leon Edwards is all set to defend his title again. This time against the undefeated Belal Muhammad in a rematch. The bout is scheduled for July 27 in Manchester, England. Muhammad is known for his grappling and wrestling prowess. Talking about wrestling, the UFC lightweight champion recalls the time when he spared with the current 170 lbs king.
Islam Makhachev recalls his sparring session with Leon Edwards
Considering his consistent desire for high-profile fights, it’s evident that Islam Makhachev is an ambitious individual. The Dagestani fighter has participated in champion vs. champion bouts on two occasions and has come out victorious from both of them. Moreover, he has also indicated his interest in facing his former sparring partner, welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (via X)In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, Makhachev spoke about his future potential fights, training, and many more things. In the midst of that, he also recalled the time when Edwards and him sparred together. He even highlighted that since then, the welterweight champion might have improved in his wrestling.
When time is begin I go to double leg, take (Leon) down. But that time he’s not good wrestler… Right now, maybe he’s good (at) wrestling… But that time his weak point (was) wrestling, and I take him down, hold him.
Islam Makhachev to Daniel Cormier
Islam Makhachev recalls sparring with Leon Edwards and says he took him down and held him there 👀
“When time is begin I go to double leg, take [Leon] down. But that time he’s not good wrestler…
Right now maybe he’s good [at] wrestling… but that time his weak point [was]… pic.twitter.com/VTgVFeGfZh
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 30, 2024
Now, as time passed by, both the fighters have flourished in their career paths. Both Makhachev and Edwards are yet to lose a title defense fight. However, now it remains to be seen would the UFC be willing to give Makhachev a chance to become the double champ next, given if both fighters defend their title in their upcoming fights.
