PHOENIX – Leon Edwards knows he needs to win big on Saturday night.
The UFC welterweight contender takes on star Nate Diaz in a five-round bout on the main card of UFC 263. It’s Edwards’ (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) highest profile opponent to date, and it’s a good opportunity to potentially cement himself as the top contender in the division.
“I have to go out there and prove my case, you know,” Edwards said at the UFC 263 press conference on Thursday. “If I smoke a guy like Nate, they’ll put me in a spot that I deserve. That’s nine in a row, and that’s the third most in the history of the promotion. So I’m looking forward to it. I know Nate is a tough guy and durable.
Edwards hasn’t lost since coming up short in a decision to now UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman back in December 2015. The Englishman finds himself on an eight-fight winning streak.
On the other hand, Diaz hasn’t fought since November 2019 when he lost to Jorge Masvidal via doctor’s stoppage on a cut, thus unable to capture the BMF title. Diaz is 1-2 in his past three performances.
Edwards believes he’s at a different level than Diaz, and he’s looking to prove that at UFC 263.
“Skillset wise, I’m leaps above him and I will show that on Saturday night,” Edwards said. “I know he said it’s kill or be killed, but I’m here to kill, so I can’t wait.”
Leon Edwards: I’m ‘leaps above’ Nate Diaz, out to finish him at UFC 263