UFC 296: T-Mobile Arena; Las Vegas, Nevada
The 170-pound division across all combat sports is looked at as a legacy division. (Although in boxing, it’s 147-pounds). But after a dud of a main event in the UFC’s final act of 2023, welterweight could be in trouble. This is far from the first or last fight that didn’t go as predicted by all. But, there is a recurring factor here. Leon Edwards is a mediocre at best B-SIDE.
That’s not to say he isn’t talented as a fighter, because he is. He’s a dynamic striker, and manages distance, especially up the middle well. His lateral movement is a key part of his game. Then you may ask how does that make him a mediocre at best B-SIDE? It’s due to what he lacks. A killer at all cost instinct. After chopping up Colby Covingtons right leg, there was no urgency to in KHAMZAT CHIMAEV’S voice “smesh him”. And until that magical head kick flatlined Kamaru Usman it was his MO.
In this day and age fights need to be sold. Unless of course you bring absolute excitement during your fights. Call Covington, Cejudo, Sterling, or MacGregor, etc cringe… they get a reaction. One that makes fans drop their hard earned money to watch fights. Covington, who was away for 21-months did his selling. But can Edwards do that. Dana White said it makes sense to have Edwards fight in England next. But even coming off his second-title defense, the ho hum 49-46 unanimous decision isn’t making fans salivate.
Covington pointed to possibly some cage rust, but his world class cardio wasn’t on display. Yes, Edwards cutting the cage off, and his full kicking game played a part. But the next possible opponents cardio is far less.
Welterweight Could Be In For A Cold Spell
In all fairness the next fight should be with Belal Muhammad. While his striking matches decently with Edwards, that fight won’t move the needle as they say. And as far as the shiny new toy, Shavkat Rakhmonov goes, yes it appears he’s the real deal. After all, 18 wins all finishes IS something special. However, in the UFC he’s only slightly gotten his feet wet.
He hasn’t been under the bright lights of a main event. So we don’t know how he’ll handle that. And even moreso, before he walks into the octagon for a chance at the strap, he should face at least one top-three fighter. Rakhmonov is patient and yet also tenacious though. His striking is getting better, and on the mat he’s not too shabby. Perhaps Covington was right about something leading into this fight, that Edwards is just a place holder. At least until welterweight can sort itself out.
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