Getty Is Leon Edwards next for Jorge Masvidal?
No. 3 ranked UFC welterweight Leon Edwards is without a fight on January 20, 2021, according to multiple outlets, and he has a new opponent in mind. “Rocky” was scheduled to fight No. 15 ranked Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC Fight Island 8. However, it’s been reported that the Russian has pulled out of the match.
After the news of the canceled bout starting circulating, Edwards confirmed his willingness to fight on the card, taking to Twitter and writing, “Rest up Khamzat, i’m sure ill see you soon. But I want to fight January 20th on the island @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc lets make it happen.”
He then took aim at his rival, No. 4 ranked welterweight and the UFC’s “Baddest Motherf*****,” Jorge Masvidal. The two have a history with each other, with Masvidal punching Edwards multiple times after his fight with Darren Till in 2019. Re-live the moment here:
On Tuesday, Edwards challenged Masvidal to fight, tweeting, “Where that b**** Jorge at?” Masvidal has yet to reply to the Englishman.
Where that bitch Jorge at?
Masvidal is no stranger to short-notice fights. In July, he stepped in on less than a week’s notice to fight welterweight champion Kamaru Usman after Gilbert Burns pulled out of the fight. Masvidal lost the match by unanimous decision and hasn’t competed since.
Edwards has had a string of bad luck when it comes to stepping into the Octagon. He was scheduled to fight former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in March, but the event was canceled due to COVID-19. He was then set to fight Chimaev on December 19, however “Rocky” contracted the virus and the UFC was forced to reschedule the fight for January 20.
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Edwards Is on An Impressive Win Streak, Holding Victories Over Big Names
Rocky has been impressive inside the Octagon, going 10-2 in his 12 promotional bouts dating back to November 2014. He is currently riding an eight-fight win streak, with his last loss coming at the hands of now-welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
In this current eight-fight stretch, Edwards has earned victories over the likes of former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson, Donald Cerrone and Vicente Luque.
Edwards has a professional MMA record of 18-3, with six of his victories coming via KO/TKO, three via submission and nine via decision. He has never been finished in his career, losing two fights by decision and one by disqualification.
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Masvidal Is 3-1 in His Last 4 Bouts & Holds the Record for Fastest KO in UFC History
After losing to Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 217 in November 2017, Masvidal went on a hiatus from the sport and returned in March 2019 against Darren Till. “Gamebred” landed a stunning KO in the second round which catapulted him into a fight with Ben Askren.
Masvidal and Askren fought at UFC 239 in July 2019 and Gamebred crushed “Funky” with a spectacular flying knee, knocking out the previously undefeated fighter in only five seconds. The KO is the fastest in UFC history.
In November 2019, Masvidal defeated Nate Diaz by doctor’s stoppage to win the “BMF” belt, increasing his win streak to three. The streak was snapped in July when Masvidal fought Usman at UFC 251 and lost by unanimous decision.
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