When Leon Edwards was awarded a title shot against Kamaru Usman in the back of a unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz, public opinion was such that the British fighter did not deserve to fight for the UFC gold. Moreover, Edwards getting rocked in that last round against the Stockton Slugger did not help his case either.
Be that as it may, Leon Edwards got his title opportunity against the Nigerian Nightmare back at UFC 278, a fight he won via KO in the fifth round to script history and become the UFC Welterweight Champion of the world. Edwards would go on to fight Usman in a rematch, winning the fight via majority decision to silence his doubters at UFC 286 once and for all.
However, beating the former Champion wasn’t the most surprising part of his two fights against Kamaru Usman, but the manner in which he was able to dominate the Nigerian Nightmare, not just on the feet but also on the ground, is what set him apart from the rest of the UFC roster.
Leon Edwards is willing to wrestle against a wrestler
The UFC has seen numerous fighters with wrestling credentials that speak for themselves. NCAA Division 1 wrestlers, BJJ World Champions, and even Olympic gold medalists have graced the UFC Octagon. So, when Leon Edwards took on Kamaru Usman in the title fight and the rematch that followed, assumption was that Usman might out-wrestle Edwards. But that wasn’t the case.
Kamaru Usman, who has fought the likes of Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington to name a few, both fighters who come with wrestling backgrounds like no other, couldn’t do much against the former Champion. While Usman decided to wrestle against Woodley, in his fight against Covington, both wrestling stalwarts decided to stand on their feet and trade rather than try to implement the wrestling game.
Even the fight breakdown from fighters and fans alike conveyed that their wrestling would cancel each other, leaving both the fighters fighting on the feet.
And that’s what happened. Except the one lousy takedown attempt from Covington, which he would later show off to claim that he was the first fighter to takedown Kamaru Usman, it was nothing but a striking battle between both the fighters. All that changed when both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington faced Leon Edwards.
Not once, but Rocky took down Usman and Covington multiple times when they shared the cage, showing just how much of a mental game it is when a striking-heavy fighter takes on a wrestling-heavy opponent.
Leon Edwards is a lot different from Islam Makhachev’s previous opponents
Islam Makhachev has expressed his interest in facing Leon Edwards for the welterweight gold in an attempt to become a two-division champion, a feat only a rare few have achieved in their UFC careers. As it stands today, Makhachev reigns supreme as the UFC Lightweight Champion and while he may have gone through adversity on multiple occasions, no fighter has even attempted to grapple, let alone try to secure a takedown against the Dagestani fighter.
Most recently against Dustin Poirier, Makhachev had no problem striking with his opponent, who stood on his feet with a constant threat of a takedown. In situations like these, Makhachev always manages to look equally formidable on the feet. However, that story might change against Leon Edwards.
Leon Edwards is not the only fighter who prefers to implement every tool in his arsenal, the likes of Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili showed in their fight against Henry Cejudo, and even Jailton Almedia when he took on Curtis Blaydes, that it’s not that bad an idea to try to grapple against a fighter who boasts a threatening ground game rather than standing on your feet anticipating a takedown at every second of the fight.
Dustin Poirier’s gameplan against Islam Makhachev, despite an improved takedown defense, did not involve Poirier trying to secure a takedown, engage near the cage or in the clinch.
Poirier also avoided throwing kicks in the fear of getting caught off-position for a takedown. The former three-time title challenger just stood his guard and attempted to strike while Makhachev tried to employ every facet of mixed martial arts, eventually submitting Poirier in the fifth round for a victory.
Leon Edwards can beat Islam Makhachev, and it might not be tough
Fighting Leon Edwards is a whole different ballgame. On top of his fine striking lies a fighting approach that will not shy away from trying to grapple a grappler. And while one cannot deny Makhachev is a more experienced and possibly a better grappler than Edwards, the British fighter’s ability to mix it up is what separates him from the rest of the UFC roster.
In a potential fight with Islam Makhachev, expect Leon Edwards to not just strike but also attempt to takedown Makhachev, much like Thiago Moises, who arguably gave a tougher fight to Makhachev than so many top-ranked UFC fighters. In a five round fight, where cardio will also play a huge role, I don’t see how Leon Edwards is not the man to beat Islam Makhachev.
Now, Leon Edwards is set to defend his UFC gold against Belal Muhammad, who steps inside the Octagon with a similar fighting style like Islam Makhachev. Needless to say, Edwards’ performance against Belal will give us a more clear picture about a showdown between Edwards and Makhachev.
