A potential showdown between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards appears to be more fitting than ever.
Edwards (22-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) faced his second consecutive defeat when he was outclassed and submitted by Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night 255 at The O2 in London last weekend.
Meanwhile, Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) is contemplating a return to the UFC after retiring from MMA in April 2023, with a clash against Edwards at the top of his priority list. He believes that a victory over the former UFC welterweight champion could launch him towards one final title pursuit in his career.
“If the UFC wants to make this happen, give me the Leon fight, and then after that, I’ll fight whoever has that damn belt,” Masvidal expressed to Submission Radio. “I know Dana (White) is probably going to see this.”
Edwards has been eager to settle the score with Masvidal ever since the backstage altercation at UFC London in March 2019. Their anticipated bout at UFC 269 in December 2021 was called off due to Masvidal’s injury.
From a stylistic perspective, Masvidal is confident in his ability to overcome Edwards.
“In every aspect,” Masvidal explained how he plans to defeat Edwards. “I can say for certain that he won’t be able to wrestle me for five rounds. I don’t need to worry about takedowns, and I know that, in stand-up, he’s more vulnerable compared to me.
“Based on the opponents we’ve both faced, the outcomes of those fights, and how we’ve performed against common opponents, except for Usman, I have been able to finish many fighters that he has only gone the distance with. His durability and mine are on different levels, and if we step into that cage, I am prepared to demonstrate just how much more fragile he is compared to me.”
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