Featured Image Credit: UFC 286.
Topics: MMA, UFC, Leon Edwards
Jayden Collins
Islam Makhachev wants next dibs on Leon Edwards.
The welterweight champion was mere minutes removed from his successful title defence against Kamaru Usman before a left-field challenger emerged.
Rocky looked strong in the deeply personal trilogy fight against the Nigerian with a raucous British crowd firmly in his corner.
With the win wrapping up the third in a series of fights against Usman, questions quickly emerged of who would be next for Edwards.
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Back-up fighter Colby Covington was in attendance with Edwards asked about the American as a potential challenger after the fight.
However, a certain Russian took to Twitter to put out a left-field challenge.
Islam Makhachev tweeted: “I want Leon next, October in Abu Dhabi.”
The lightweight champion only recently defended his title against yet another UFC champion in Alexander Volkanovski.
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The Australian was fighting for the rare distinction of becoming a two-division champion at the time but ultimately was unsuccessful.
But perhaps all the talk of being a two-belt champ got Makhachev thinking.
Targeting yet another marquee fight in October, the current lightweight champion could be thinking of a step up to the welterweight division.
With no immediate plans for the Dagestan Destroyer’s next challenger confirmed it looks as though Makhachev is calling his own shot.
After defeating Usman, the Englishman has proven that he’s one of the best in the entire company.
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Going up against yet another former pound-for-pound star would once again confirm that Rocky is up for any sort of challenge.
His takedown defence and leg kicks against his fierce rival Usman proved to be the difference in their stunning third fight.
It was an incredibly close fight, however, Edwards never looked in trouble throughout.
As for Makhachev, his title fight against Volkanovski left many yearning for more from the two after yet another incredibly close affair.
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Speculation persisted that the fight would be run back later in 2023, however, with Islam calling his shot against Edwards that fight may have to be put on the back burner.
The featherweight champion will instead likely have to focus on remaining the king of his division before challenging for the lightweight championship again.