It is hard to deny Leon Edwards’ contender status in the UFC’s welterweight division now.
‘Rocky’ extended his winning streak at 170-pounds with a unanimous five-round decision win against former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night. There was little surprise when Edwards had his hand raised when the decision was read aloud, as the Birmingham man was on top throughout the majority of the 25-minute tussle.
Edwards 6 ft 2 in frame made it difficult for Dos Anjos to get inside but when he did, Edwards showed solid poise and rarely allowed the veteran Brazilian fighter to inflict damage. In fact, Edwards had an answer for everything: he was on top in the striking department and when the fight hit the canvas — an area thought to be an advantage for RDA — Edwards was able to stifle offence and launch attacks of his own.
💪 Slicing elbows from @Leon_EdwardsMMA! #UFCSanAntonio pic.twitter.com/r913rcgKfH
— UFC (@ufc) July 21, 2019
With the win, Edwards extends his winning streak to the second longest in the division behind champion Kamaru Usman, who remains the only fighter to defeat the Brit in the last four years.
After the fight, Edwards renewed his rivalry with the man with whom he came to blows with backstage in London in March.
“I’m on an eight-fight winning streak in one of the hardest division’s in the sport,” Edwards announced. |There’s a little weasel called Jorge Masvidal. Accept the fight and let’s do it.
“You’re not on my level. Let’s make the fight happen. Me, Jorge Masvidal. Let’s make the fight happen.”
So I can be clear I was promised a title shot after I beat askren and I plan on cashing in on it. Don’t call me out no more until I get that belt #supernecessary
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) July 21, 2019
Elsewhere on the card Walt Harris didn’t take long to get past Aleksey Oleinik, winning by TKO just 12 seconds into the first round. Greg Hardy took just 45 seconds to get past Juan Adams while Dan Hooker inflicted James Vick’s third defeat in succession, winning by first round KO.
That knockout ended a run of 9 successive decisions including Alexander Hernandez’s win against Francisco Trinaldo and Andrei Arlovski besting Ben Rothwell.
