Leon Edwards, the reigning UFC welterweight champ is willing to give Conor McGregor a shot at the title, but only after the Irishman fulfill one criteria laid down by him – a proper victory at 170.
Leon Edwards says McGregor needs “a good win at welterweight”E
“The Notorious” is nearing his much awaited UFC comeback, after a prolonged recovery period following the leg fracture at UFC 264 back in 2021, which also marked his second consecutive loss to Dustin Poirier.
During his rehab, McGregor has bulked up significantly, with talks going around of Mystic Mac jumping up to welterweight on his return to the Octagon. And with the massive stardom of McGregor, a direct title fight against Edwards would be nothing out of the ordinary.
While “Rocky” is positive on defending his belt against McGregor, he does have one condition- McGregor needs to secure a good victory at the weight class before he earns the title shot.
“If Conor comes back and gets a good win at welterweight, then it’s a fight I’d more than welcome. It would be a massive fight for Europe, a massive fight for everyone,” Edwards said in a recent interview with talkSPORT. “Let him come back, get a good win at welterweight and then we can talk from there.”
Back in August, Edwards shook the combat sports world after defeating longtime champ Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. The duo are set to lock horns for the trilogy at UFC 286 in March in London. And right now, that’s where the English fighter’s full concentration is at.
“It feels amazing,” a smiling Edwards went on, “This is what most kids dream of in MMA – to headline a hometown show, especially being the champion. It’s a great opportunity and I’m very excited. I would’ve loved Villa Park to happen, but back home is back home. To have it at the O2, it’s a massive, iconic venue in the UK. Hopefully one day we can get back to Birmingham and have Villa Par, but it’s the O2 now and I can’t wait for fight night.”
Even though he’s the champion, Edwards is once again the underdog against Usmanp, but he’s least bothered regarding it.
“I’ve been the underdog for my last however many fights,” Edwards added, “I haven’t lost a fight in the last six or seven years, so it doesn’t bother me. I’m just focused on what I need to do, which is show up, train, prepare for the fight, go out there and perform.
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