‘That’s my mentality’ – Leon Edwards hits back at title criticism ahead of UFC London return ...Middle East

Leon Edwards has asserted that it is now his ‘dream’ to become a two-time UFC champion.

Edwards faces Sean Brady this weekend at UFC London to decide who will contest for the welterweight title next.

The 33-year-old has already held the title at 170 pounds, but lost the strap to current champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester last July.

Edwards has asserted several times that he will be calling for an immediate title rematch with Muhammad if he gets past Brady at UFC London.

This prompted criticism from his American opponent, who said it was a ‘bad look’ for Edwards to be looking ahead of him before they meet at London’s O2 Arena.

However, the Birmingham’s Edwards sees no issues with his comments as he laid out his ‘main goal’ in the UFC going forward.

“I’m focused on Sean for Saturday night, but the long term goal is to become a two-time world champion,” Edwards said at the UFC London Media Day on Thursday,

“If he doesn’t have that dream in his head either, that’s him. For me, I always put my main goal first, which is the championship.

“I always work towards it. There are steps in the way there. You’ve got to get past. That’s just as important as the title.

“But the title is the main goal. You’ve got to chip away, fight by fight, win fights.

Edwards won the UFC welterweight title after scoring one of the greatest knockouts of all time over Kamaru Usman in August 2022.

‘Rocky’ was losing the fight in the fifth and final round of his main event clash with Usman at UFC 278, before a head kick knocked Usman out cold.

He then defended the belt seven months later in a rematch with the Nigerian before retaining it once again against the outspoken Colby Covington at UFC 296.

Edwards then dropped the belt to Muhammad in Manchester, losing via unanimous decision.

The 33-year-old cited the 5am start time as one of the main reasons for his sluggish performance on the night and promised to bounce back at UFC London against Brady.

“If you go in and lose to Sean, you don’t get your title shot,” he added.

“It’s just as important, if not more important, to get me to my main goal, where I feel like I belong, which is the world champion.

“That’s my mentality. I’m not looking past him. My main goal is to get back to where I left off. He’s the guy that’s in the way and that’s it.”

UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady full card

Main card 8pm

Prelims 5pm

A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Edwards started training at 17 to stay out of trouble, and it wasn’t long before he fell in love with MMA.

Before pursuing a career in fighting, Edwards worked part-time at his local gym and credits his family, especially his son Jayon, as his driving motivation.

UFC London also sees the return of Liverpool’s very own Molly McCann, who faces Alexia Thainara.

Meanwhile, Jan Blachowicz takes on Carlos Ulberg in a thrilling co-main event at light heavyweight.

Blachowicz has his sights set on becoming the UFC’s older champion ever, having previously held the 205lb belt and fought the likes of Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘That’s my mentality’ – Leon Edwards hits back at title criticism ahead of UFC London return )

Also on site :

• Weld coroner IDs woman, man killed in murder-suicide at Greeley apartments
• Mikel Merino rescues Spain as Croatia stun France in Nations League quarter-finals
• Go + Do events for March 21-26