Leon Edwards will not be headlining UFC 300 in April, but it’s not for lack of effort or flexibility on the welterweight champ’s part.
Following UFC 298 in Anaheim, UFC CEO Dana White announced the milestone event’s headliner: Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill for the light heavyweight championship.
“We were out there talking to lots of people, trying to make lots of fights,” White said during Saturday’s post-fight press conference in Anaheim. “In this business it’s about taking opportunities.”
Leon Edwards was clearly willing to take that opportunity. It simply didn’t work out.
“Let me say this. Leon Edwards, Leon Edwards has had like three opponents through this whole thing. Leon Edwards doesn’t say no to anybody,” exclaimed White. “This kid is an absolute stud. He’s had like three opponents thrown at him during UFC 300. Yes, yes, and yes. Was willing to take on anybody. Kid’s an absolute stud. Leon, thank you. Much respect.”
White declined to name the three opponents Edwards was offered when a follow-up question was posed; Khamzat Chimaev was one rumored name, but he recently stated he will not fight during Ramadan. But he suggested that overall, the issues with securing the UFC 300 main event had nothing to do with money.
“This was not about money. This was all about timing. We’ve got three killer cards in a row. In this business you’ve got injuries and all this other bullsh*t that goes on behind the scenes. We’ve been talkin about 300 forever, and we were just trying to make the best fights that we could make.”
“These two guys are it,” said White, adding “no way that fight sucks.”
White would later go back to praising Edwards for his willingness to take on all comers. “Listen the guy is willing to fight three different opponents and obviously if it was for UFC 300, it’s three nasty opponents. This guy doesn’t care. He’ll fight anybody.”
White recalled phoning Edwards three times with three different opponents, with no pushback. “It’s just crazy, and this guy could care less. He’s up for the challenge, he’s ready to fight anybody. I love it, respect it very much.”
As for who Edwards will end up fighting, and whether it will be Belal Muhammad, White couldn’t, or wouldn’t, say. “I have no idea what we’re going to do yet. He’s not fighting on 300.”
