Leon Edwards breaks his silence to reveal new goal for 2025 after losing UFC welterweight title
After losing his UFC welterweight title to Belal Muhammad, Leon Edwards looks to make a monumental impact when he returns to the octagon next year.
âRockyâ dethroned MMA legend Kamaru Usman with a stunning fifth-round finish back in 2022, before edging a majority decision in their immediate rematch.
Soon after, the 33-year-old cemented his supremacy at 170 lbs with another measured performance to comprehensively outpoint top contender Colby Covington, becoming one of the UFCâs standout fighters last year.
But then, after getting dominated on the ground by Belal Muhammad in a sizable upset earlier this year, Leon Edwards was forced to suffer his first defeat in nine years.
Read More [âIan Garry will winâ⊠Fans react to leaked sparring footage between Shavkat Rakhmonov and âThe Futureâ]
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty ImagesLeon Edwards insists he will become a two-time UFC champion by the end of 2025Edwards remains one of British MMAâs brightest stars but, following his rematch against Muhammed, has largely stayed silent on his future in the sport.
The newly-crowned champ, meanwhile, was set to build on his momentum by taking on formidable welterweight contender Shavkhat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on December 7.
However, Muhammad was ultimately forced to pull out of his main-event slot at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, after sustaining a serious injury.
The 36-year-old is now expected to make the first defense of his title next year, while his next opponent will seemingly be determined at UFC 310.
Instead of being removed from the upcoming pay-per-view card, Rakhmonov is gearing up to take on Ian Garry while still hoping to secure his title opportunity against Muhammad.
But, regardless of how the situation at welterweight unfolds, Edwards has confirmed that he will be looking to become a two-time UFC champion.
âMy goal right now is to obviously get the belt back,â He told Myprotein. âIâd love to be champion again by the end of [next year]. I feel like I hate losing more than I love winning.â
Read More [âIâm happy thereâs no interim beltâ⊠Belal Muhammad reacts to a chaotic few weeks in his division after UFC 310 withdrawal]Will Leon Edwards face Belal Muhammad or the winner of Shavkhat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry?The winner of Shavkhat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry is likely to be handed a shot at Muhammad as soon as the American is back in action.
Of course, this means that Edwards, who could potentially feature on the UFC London card on March 22, must restore some activity to his career in the meantime.
But then, if the Brit gets himself back into the win column, he could be looking at a title shot against either Muhammad, Rakhmonov or Garry.
Related Posts
