Despite eye poke at UFC Fight Night 187, Leon Edwards thinks title shot should be next

LAS VEGAS – Leon Edwards isn’t happy with the end result of the UFC Fight Night 187 main event, but that doesn’t mean he thinks his march toward gold has slowed.

On Saturday, Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) headlined against Belal Muhammad. It was Edwards’ first fight in more than 600 days. The bout was ruled a no contest after an errant Edwards finger entered the eye of Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and rendered him unable to continue.

“I thought it was a punch,” Edwards said at the post-fight news conference. “The combination I was throwing was a cross-head kick. As I threw the cross, he kind of stepped in to close the distance. I saw him grab his eye and turn around. I thought it was a punch. I wish Belal nothing but a full recovery. It was an accident. I didn’t mean it. So I wish him a full recovery.”

Despite the long layoff, Edwards said he didn’t feel hindered by inactivity. His most recent fight came against Rafael dos Anjos in July 2019 and was a unanimous decision win.

“I felt great out there,” Edwards said. “I know everyone was talking about ring rust and ‘It’s been 600 days. How did you feel?’ I felt good. I had him in the first round. Going into the second round, I was just getting the momentum. I’d have liked to show more. It was just a sad thing, really.”

Prior to UFC Fight Night 187, UFC president Dana White said Edwards would get a title shot with an impressive victory over Muhammad. Although the fight ended in a no contest, Edwards thinks the next crack at gold should still be his.

“I believe a title shot should be next,” Edwards said. “I’ve rebuilt myself back up since last competing against (Kamaru) Usman. I was on an eight-fight winning streak. Tonight was going to be nine. The writing was on the wall. I was winning the fight, clearly. I believe I should be next at the title shot. I’ve built myself back up. That’s what should be next, I think.”

While Edwards’ next move is unclear, so is UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman’s. While there have been some signs Usman will potentially rematch Jorge Masvidal in the coming months, nothing has been announced. If Usman vs. Masvidal is indeed next, Edwards is unlikely to hold out for the winner.

“I’m probably not going to wait that long,” Edwards said. “If they fight in September, I won’t fight until the end of the year (or) next year. I like to be active. I’m 29 years old. It’s been a long time off. I’ll speak to the UFC Monday, Tuesday and see what’s next.”

UFC Fight Night 187 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.