UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards' trainer Dave Lavelle has spoken out about his charge's potential opponents - undefeated prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov and the promotion's lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev.
"In some ways, Makhachev's deficiencies have been exposed in his last few fights in terms of stamina. Islam wants to move up in weight, but it's unclear if he can handle it. Shavkat is a dangerous guy, but he has also been vulnerable in recent fights, although Rakhmonov thinks he can run over any opponent," the specialist said in an interview with talkSPORT.
Edwards' next fight is expected to be against Belal Muhammad in July at a tournament in Manchester.
Belal Muhammad, a top welterweight fighter, has spoken out about his upcoming bout with the organization's featherweight champion Leon Edwards.
"I envision coming out and tearing him apart with boxing in the first round. In the second round I start kicking him with leg kicks and body punches, then in the third round I start pinning him against the cage and hitting him with elbows. In the fourth round I do a teikdown and start doing sub-missions, he'll start lunging and then I let him go. I hear his trainer shouting magic words from the corner. Then I lick my lips and point to the center of the cage like Max Holloway and Leon looks at me in fear. I then deliver a takedown and win by a score of 50-42 on all three judges' scorecards."
As a reminder, Muhammad's fight with Edwards will take place on July 27 at UFC 304 in Manchester.
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is highly likely to headline UFC 304, which will be held in July in Manchester. This was announced by the manager of the fighter Dave Lovell.
UFC top welterweight No. 2 Belal Muhammad spoke about his attitude toward current division champion Leon Edwards.
"I hate him to the core. He tries to avoid facing me, belittles my accomplishments, says I don't deserve a fight for the belt. Things like that make me furious. They fuel my hatred for this guy, and I can't wait to smear him.
Of course, I'll be ready to fight Edwards on his home soil. I have more fans in Manchester than he does. Nobody there cares about him. When there was a parade in his honor, six people showed up and three of them were his relatives. If I get a chance to go to his homeland and beat him there, it will be amazing," MMA Mania quoted Muhammad as saying.
American mixed martial arts veteran Nate Diaz has expressed that UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is currently the best fighter in the promotion.