Exactly four weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards. This week sees him finally get that long-awaited title challenge fight against the current UFC Welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 278.
My relationship with Kamaru is tricky. I totally appreciate his achievements in being the Champ, and his wonderfully eccentric dress sense. I love that by the way. No one yet has come close to beating him, except maybe Colby. He’s remarkable. His recent relationship with Trevor Whitman has certainly upped his boxing skills. But that being said, it’s time for a change at the top.
Leon Edwards is that change. They’ve fought before and I rewatched that fight from 2015 last weekend to remind myself of how it went. It wasn’t too bad. Leon was the first person to take Kamaru to a decision win. Leon himself admits he was more defensive in that match-up instead of being offensive. I can’t give you more technical insight than that I’m afraid. Go watch Dan Hardy’s YouTube channel for the breakdowns. I watch fighting for the spectacle, walkout songs, and the fashion, (without any real fighting move knowledge). All I know is that both men will most certainly have improved themselves since that fight. Both have gone on long unbeaten runs. Kamaru has been the more active fighter recently, with seemingly anything that could go wrong for Leon during the pandemic did. Having had around ten fights cancelled on him and at one point they even wiped him off the welterweight rankings! Who can say if that’s a good or bad thing on both sides? It’ll certainly be an exciting duel.
Leon has a compelling backstory. If you haven’t watched the short film excellently produced by the superstars over at BT Sport, then I urge you to do it before Saturday.
The planets feel like they’re aligning, and I predict he will be champ by this time next week. Now don’t come at me. This is my writing space and if I’m all in on something or someone, then I’m ALL IN. None of those ifs and buts.
At the press conference that took place in Vegas when this fight was announced, I noted how big Leon looked when facing off against Kamaru. I hadn’t thought of him being that imposing before. Not even after that ‘3 piece and a soda’ incident with Masvidal back in London in 2019. At last night’s press conference Leon was looking fab. He even cracked a few jokes.
When I met him, he was just as imposing but my impression was that he was really quite shy. A kindred spirit, I thought to myself. He’s not flashy or brash. Quietly confident. We exchanged a few words. Well, we did when he eventually understood by accent! :) It was a meeting of strong accents. He told me he was ready, and that’s all I needed to know. He’s ready, we’re ready, it’s time.
I’m not happy that I look like a weird tourist in this picture. But hey, I queued for an hour to meet him. Commitment. It was a privilege to meet a top-level fighter so close to a title challenge. I’ll be up at 3 am, early Sunday morning to watch on BT Sport.
This is it. C’mon Leon!