“There were unseen circumstances that caused that. We’re moving forward,” Leon Edwards told a news conference ahead of his UFC London bout with Sean Brady. “I’m excited to go out there and perform again. I feel like I’m going in there to out my wrongs right. I feel like I owe I to the UK fans and myself.” Everyone and their grandma knows about the travesty that unfolded with the former 170lbs champion when he dropped his crown to Belal Muhammad in a one-sided beatdown. This will give the Englishman a good reason to give his all against the #5 ranked 170fer at the O2 arena.
After all, this fight could determine the former champion’s trajectory toward a title shot in the future. And it seems that fellow Britons are bestowing him with a lot of encouragement and advice. To make sure that delivers a mesmerizing spectacle for the London audience and mirror fellow countryman Tom Aspinall’s annihilation, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has joined in with some crucial advice that might elevate the Brit’s performance.
‘The Count’ took to his YouTube channel and stated: “It’s a grappler vs. striker of course. The first time out, Belal Muhammad believed in his striking. He wasn’t throwing the strikes just to set up the takedowns. He was throwing punches to land the punches, that was the difference. So this time, Leon’s gotta go forward, he’s got to be the aggressor, he’s going to fight at a much higher pace. He can’t be defensively minded.”
“He has got to go forward, he’s got to go on the attack. He’s got to hunt Sean Brady down. He’s got to punish him with the front kicks to the stomach, jabs to the face, throw a lot of head kicks, and give Sean Brady something to be blocking. Because, when you’re blocking kicks, you ain’t shooting for the double leg takedowns.” UK’s first-ever UFC champion added.
MMA: UFC 286 – Edwards vs Usman Mar 18, 2023, London, UNITED KINGDOM Leon Edwards red gloves fights Kamaru Usman blue gloves during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. London O2 Arena UNITED KINGDOM, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPerxHaljestamx 20230318_kab_bk4_246
Bisping’s take on how Edwards should perform against Brady is very similar to what the interim heavyweight champion said. However, Bisping clearly understands Brady’s relentless grappling prowess. So, along with the generic advice for being aggressive, Bisping dug a couple of layers deeper, specifically mentioning the way the former champ can use his striking to neutralize his opponent’s relentless takedown attempts.
This path to victory seems destined! The Englishman should immediately get in the center, and push Brady with his tip kicks and one-two combinations. Doing that will certainly create an opportunity to replicate the iconic UFC 278 “Headshot Dead” headkick that made him a champion in the first place. It is safe to say that Edwards will have to evoke his inner Rocky Balboa to keep moving forward!
Fans are more interested in the former champ’s comeback arc. However, it seems that the other half of the UFC London’s main event is patiently waiting like a hawk to snatch that #1 welterweight ranking. Sean Brady claims he has found a crucial flaw in the Englishman’s way of thinking ahead of this fight that could very well result in monumental defeat.
Sean Brady doubts Leon Edwards’ mentality ahead of the UFC London main event
Past haunts a lot of people. As mortals, we are always trying to rectify our previous mistakes! After all, it’s one of those things that makes us human. But, it can also become a problem if somebody gets eminently fixated on it. The 31-year-old, Philadelphia native believes that the former welterweight champion is still remembering the name of that one person responsible for taking his glory away.
It is none other than the current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who is scheduled to defend his 170lbs crown against Australian sensation Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in Montreal. At the UFC London media day, Brady gave a scathing remark:
“That’s a bad look on Leon to be thinking about other people when all I’m thinking about is fighting him. He’s thinking about No.1 contenders and getting back at Belal, talking s–t about Belal, but he’s got someone in front of him who’s trying to kill him Saturday night in front of him. He has more things to be concerned about than being a No.1 contender in the division.”
Do you think we are about to see a new and improved Leon Edwards at UFC London? Or is he going to resort back to his old methods? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
The post Michael Bisping Gives Leon Edwards a Hard-Hitting Reminder on Fighting Sean Brady at UFC London – “He’s Got To Hunt” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
