Edwards: "I've been the best since before AKA."

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards shared his opinion on the skills of the Dagestani fighters he had to spar with in the AKA gym.

"I train in AKA, not Dagestan. It has its own schedule and training regimen, so it's hard for me to assess their skills. I sparred with Makhachev, but that was 8 years ago and we stood with each other for only one round.

I respect the way Dagestanians approach fights. They have a recognizable style with a bet on fighting. But MMA is MMA. I'm proving that I'm the best in the world. And I became the best even before AKA," Edwards said in an interview with Red Corner MMA.

As a reminder, Edwards will defend the belt against Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304 on June 27 in Manchester, UK.