YOUR ULTIMATE UFC
Leon wants a Battle of Britain
LEON EDWARDS is adamant a Battle of Britain with Darren Till should be headlining the UFC’s return to London.
A welterweight showdown between Till and American Jorge Masvidal tops the bill at UFC Fight Night 147 at the O2 Arena on Saturday week.
‘Rocky’ Edwards was hoping to get his hands on the Liverpool star after seeing him come up short against former 170lb king Tyron Woodley last September.
But the Birmingham brawler has had to settle for a co-main event clash with Gunnar Nelson instead and claims he has been ducked by ‘The Gorilla’.
“I would’ve loved to have headlined against Till,” said Edwards. “That was the fight to make for London. All the fans were saying this is the fight to make. But for some reason, he didn’t want it and the UFC didn’t want it.
“They want to try and build both guys up at the same time and make it a bigger fight down the line. But I was like, ‘f*** that, let’s do it now – let’s just do it now.’”
After winning his last six fights, 27-year-old Edwards was expecting to face a top 10-ranked welterweight in his first outing of 2019.
That has not materialised for Edwards, who is getting frustrated with the UFC’s matchmaking policy. “It’s not about fighting no more in this sport,” a fired-up Edwards said.
“It’s about social media and talking trash in front of the cameras. That’s what it’s about now.
“You can be No.10 and talk s**t and you can fight No.3 or No.2. Just from talking on social media. Whereas back in the day, No.1 would fight No.2.”
But an impressive win over fans’ favourite Nelson will put Edwards on the cusp of a title shot, which he is hoping to be in contention for by the end of the year.
He said: “I want to be a title contender by the end of this year.
“Or if not, fighting for the title by the end of this year. That’s my plan.
“Nelson is a big name in the sport. And me going in there and finishing him will prove my case that I belong.”