Leon Edwards reflects on his loss to Belal Muhammad in July and acknowledges that he wasn’t at his best during the fight.
Both Edwards and his coach, Dave Lovell, have discussed the challenges they faced, particularly the unusual timing of the event, which took place at 5 a.m. local time. Edwards mentioned that his reactions were slow, while Lovell admitted to only seeing a fraction of his fighter that night.
Former UFC welterweight Matt Brown empathizes with Edwards, having experienced similar struggles in his own career. However, Brown believes that airing grievances after a loss may not be the best approach.
Brown understands the challenges of fighting in a different time zone and acknowledges that such factors can impact performance. He emphasizes the importance of not taking away from the opponent’s victory.
He notes that every fighter faces external issues that can affect their performance, but it’s essential to handle them internally rather than making excuses publicly.
Brown highlights the saying that fighters need to be their best even on their worst nights.
Throughout his UFC career, Brown experienced various off-cage issues that influenced his fights, leading him to understand that victory isn’t solely based on skills.
He acknowledges that while there may be legitimate reasons for a loss, publicly addressing them can be perceived as making excuses.
Brown believes that regardless of the circumstances, vocalizing reasons for a loss will always be viewed as an excuse.
He advises against openly discussing the factors that contributed to a loss, as it can be seen as making excuses.
In Edwards’ case, fighting at an unusual hour may have impacted his performance, leading to his loss to Muhammad.
Brown understands the desire to find reasons for a defeat but suggests doing so privately rather than publicly.
He believes that addressing such issues publicly may diminish the fighter’s image, regardless of the validity of the reasons.
Brown speculates that Edwards may discount Muhammad’s victory due to the circumstances of the fight but advises against vocalizing it.
He reiterates that while there may be genuine reasons for a loss, expressing them publicly can be perceived as making excuses.
Looking ahead to Edwards’ upcoming fight against Sean Brady, Brown emphasizes the significance of the match in determining their future in the division.
He notes that a win for either fighter could propel them towards a title shot, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Brown stresses the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on past losses and excuses.
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