Leon Edwards has no interest in fighting Stephen Thompson.
Two weeks ago, “Wonderboy” respectfully called out Edwards for a match-up, but the No. 3 ranked welterweight simply has no interest due to Thompson’s ranking. Speaking with MMA Fighting, Edwards revealed why it would be a step down to fight the 37-year-old:
“As far as 'Wonderboy', he got knocked out like a fight ago,” Edwards said of Thompson. “[Anthony] Pettis knocked him out one fight ago. If I go out there right now and I fight Wonderboy and I beat Wonderboy the UFC will be like ‘let’s go one more in the top-five and then we’ll go for a title.’ They wouldn’t give me a title shot straight away."
Edwards is only willing to fight one of the top four men in the division, but “Rocky” doesn’t shut down the idea of ever stepping into the octagon against Thompson, should the fighter pick up more wins first:
“For me to get to the world title, which is my aim and my dream, is to beat one of those top-four [guys] I have to fight someone in the top-four to get my title shot,” he continued. “I’m on an eight-fight win streak now. I don’t need to go fight someone like ‘Wonderboy’. He does nothing for my career... He’s coming down, I’m going up. If he gets one or two more wins, then I’ll consider it.”
Edwards has been looking to fight Jorge Masvidal or Colby Covington next; however, both men may be on the course of fighting each other instead. Unless Gilbert Burns decides to take a fight with Edwards since Usman is a no go for UFC 256, then Edwards might be out of action for a little bit longer.