Leon Edwards’ UFC career is in a really difficult position.
“Rocky” didn’t lose a fight for 2016-2023, going on an incredible unbeaten streak that saw him defeat numerous contenders en route to UFC gold. His last-second head kick win over Kamaru Usman is the obvious highlight, but his rematch opposite “Nigerian Nightmare” was really the moment where Edwards looked like one of the most skilled fighters on the roster.
Unfortunately, his last two bouts have gone against him in devastating fashion. He looked sleepy in the cage opposite Belal Muhammad but still managed to take two rounds off “Bully,” so that was frustrating in itself. His last showing, however, was damning, as Sean Brady pretty effortlessly grounded and submitted the Birmingham-native.
It’s very difficult to rebound from such a dominant loss to a younger talent. For those reasons, fellow rising contender Ian Garry advises Edwards to consider retirement, as he doesn’t believe “Rocky” has the drive to compete with the next generation of 170-pound contenders.
“If I was Leon I’d be retiring,” Garry told TalkSport. “He clearly doesn’t have the love for it anymore, clearly doesn’t have the talent for it against the best youth of the division. Just kick it in, say you’re a world champion and go off into the streets of Birmingham, tell the people the story of what was not what is.”
Currently, Edwards is unbooked. Garry is unbooked as well, but “The Future” recently picked up a short-notice UFC Kansas City main event win over Carlos Prates, quelling the Brazilian knockout artists sprint to the top. He’s not too far off from a second title shot of his own and has recently been angling to fight Sean Brady.
Who would you like to see both men face next, if indeed Edwards does fight again?
