UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is setting his sights on an ambitious goal—securing a two-division championship. While currently preparing for a title defense against Colby Covington at UFC 296 on December 16, Edwards has expressed his keen interest in challenging the victor of the Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis showdown.
Edwards, who made headlines with a stunning victory over Kamaru Usman last year, is no stranger to overcoming challenges. Despite being dominated for five rounds, he orchestrated a remarkable comeback with a decisive head kick in the final moments of the match. The subsequent rematch in March saw Edwards clinch victory via a split decision, solidifying his welterweight reign.
As he readies himself for the Covington bout, many view Edwards’ upcoming opponent as a significant threat. However, Edwards is also eyeing an expansion into the middleweight division. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he expressed his desire to become the UFC middleweight champion, targeting the winner of the Strickland vs. Du Plessis clash.
“I feel especially with someone like [Sean] Strickland, and I think he’s fighting [Dricus] Du Plessis soon, so either of them would be great to fight,” Edwards remarked, indicating his readiness to face the middleweight contenders.
Standing tall at 6ft, Edwards believes he can seamlessly transition into the middleweight category. He sees the opportunity to make history by becoming the first double-champion from the UK. Edwards affirmed, “I’m big myself. I feel like that would be perfect. I feel like going out and being double-champ, first ever from the UK to do it. That’s definitely one of my goals. That’s on the cards for sure.”
The scheduled bout between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis is set to headline UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto, Canada. While Edwards eyes the winner, the middleweight division is bustling with talent, with athletes like Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev also vying for a shot at the coveted belt.
Leon Edwards’ ambitions extend beyond UFC 296, and the prospect of a two-division reign is undoubtedly on the horizon for the English champion.