Coach [autotag]Dave Lovell[/autotag] believes UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] would struggle with [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]’ size.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) has reiterated interest in moving up to challenge welterweight champ Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC). The pair trained together years ago at American Kickboxing Academy. With Edwards’ recent title defenses coming over standout wrestlers such as Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman, Lovell is confident that Edwards would be able to handle Makhachev’s grappling prowess.
“Leon’s had a feel of him already because back in the day, they were at (American Kickboxing Academy) when they basically first started out their career, and they did have a little wrestle, along with Khabib and the rest of the boys,” Lovell told Submission Radio. “So you know, Islam moving up to welter, would he be big enough? Would he have the same effect that he has at his weight now? I don’t think so. Has he met a sharpshooter like Leon? No, he hasn’t. And again, what can Islam bring to Leon? Size wise, Leon’s physically bigger than him. Outreaches him.
“So again, he’s going to resort to what he knows, which is his wrestling. So it’s just unfortunate that you look at the last guys Leon fought: Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers. Now Belal, wrestler. Islam, he’s not known for his striking. They’re known for their wrestling, and that’s basically – Leon’s improving. People don’t understand, which is what I told Ariel Helwani in the last interview. He said to me about the wrestling with Leon, and I said that everybody just may get shocked when Leon comes out against Colby and shows Colby and Usman his quality of wrestling, and he proved it to the world.”
Edwards will look to make his third title defense when he rematches Belal Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 304 headliner at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
Like Makhachev, Edwards also has his sights set on dual-champion status, and Lovell sees that goal as attainable.
“One step at a time,” Lovell said. “But if that’s his plan, which is not a bad plan because we’ve got a few fighters that have done it and in the process of wanting to do it, so why should Leon be any different? He’s big enough that he could fill out to make a middleweight.
“I wouldn’t suggest he stays there, but if he can go up there and pick a fight where he can get a title win and then move back down to welterweight, well, that would be his dream to be fair right now. That’s his next move. But, you know, when that comes, we’ll look on obviously making that move.”
[lawrence-related id=2754803,2754550,2745699,2736441]
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.