While focused on opponent Rafael Dos Anjos ahead of UFC San Antonio this weekend, Leon Edwards just can’t figure out where this Jorge Masvidal title talk is coming from.
San Antonio, TX — Leon Edwards is in the main event of UFC San Antonio this Saturday, ready to take on a former champion in Rafael Dos Anjos. It’s a chance to move to eight straight wins for the British welterweight, who has not lost since 2015.
It’s also a fight “to prove my case that I’m one of the best fighters in the world,” Edwards told media outlets including Cageside Press on Wednesday. “He’s a former world champion, he’s ranked third in the world. To go out there and put on a performance that I’m thinking I’m going to do, I know after this I deserve a title shot, or at least a number one contenders [fight].”
Edwards (17-3) may have to get in line, however. There’s Colby Covington, who takes on Robbie Lawler next month. Former champ Tyron Woodley. Not to mention Jorge Masvidal, who Edwards has a bit of a history with. Three piece and a soda, anyone?
The title talk surrounding Masvidal in particular puzzles Edwards. “I don’t believe so,” he answered when asked if Masvidal deserved a title shot. “I believe two fights [ago], he was on a two fight losing streak, I believe, two or three fights before [his current wins]. Before that he was about to get cut. I don’t understand where this title shot talk came from.”
What Edwards is referring to is back-to-back losses Masvidal suffered against Stephen Thompson and Demian Maia. “I’m on a seven fight winning streak, soon to be eight. I think my record speaks for itself,” Edwards added.
As for his currently scheduled opponent, Dos Anjos, “I watched him through lightweight to welterweight, I’ve seen most of his fights,” Edwards said. “He is a veteran of the game, but I feel I am way better. I am leaps and leaps above him. I’m a young gun, I’m 27 years old, haven’t [took] much damage, he’s [been in] some wars in his career.”
“I’m not even in my prime yet, you know what I mean? I feel good about it, and I’m looking forward to it.”
In Edward’s opinion, there isn’t much Dos Anjos has to threaten him with. “Back in the day when he was fighting at lightweight. At welterweight, not really. He’s good, to be a former world champion you have to be good. But I believe I’m better. I’ll prove my case again Saturday night, make it eight in a row.”
The ex-champ status doesn’t add anything special to the fight for “Rocky” either. “Not really,” said Edwards, who only saw the man in person for the first time earlier in the week. “He’s a small man. It makes no difference to me who I fight. That’s what they said about Cowboy when I fought Cowboy, ‘oh he’s a legend of the sport.’ It’s a fight. He’s got four limbs, two arms, two legs, and he can try punching me and that’s it. That’s all I see.”
Leon Edwards faces Rafael Dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio (UFC on ESPN 4) this Saturday, July 20 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX.
