UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has made his long-awaited appearance to the fans after suffering a disgusting knockout at UFC 322, which is his first words to the public since the humiliating loss in the previous month.
The 34-year-old British fighter had remained silent in his social media accounts; however, yesterday, he posted a crypto-optimistic quote as well as an intense photo of himself. Edwards wrote Yesterday the past, tomorrow the future, but today is a gift, and this was an indication that he wanted to look ahead after a rough period in his career.
The Madison Square Garden Shocking Knockout
Edwards participated in UFC 322, which took place at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York on November 15, where he had to compete with rising Brazilian fighter Carlos Prates in a welterweight championship that had the potential to change everything.
Coming into the fight on a two-fight losing streak, Edwards immediately became active in the first round with successful takedowns and domination, and he seemed like he may have found the willpower.
The second round, however, turned out to be a dramatic fight. The aggressive punching Prates struck with his explosive power, a straight left hand landed with a crash on Edwards at 1:28, and Edwards crashed down to the canvas.
An additional strike, a follow-up strike, closed the deal, and Edwards fell senseless, leaving behind the first defeat of his professional career in the form of a knockout blow. The win was the first step into the title discussion by Prates on a night where Islam Makhachev won the welterweight championship belt over Jack Della Maddalena in a main event.
This was Edwards’ third consecutive loss since he lost a decision to Belal Muhammad that cost him the title at UFC 304 and a submission loss to Sean Brady earlier this year. After a streak of 13 consecutive victories that featured classic wins over Kamaru Usman, Edwards is now struggling to find his place in the division.
Path Forward and Fan Reactions of Edwards
The short statement made by Edwards has caused much debate among fans and critics. It is seen by many as an indicator of strength, and the former champion does not want to dwell on the loss. Edwards is still ranked among the 10 welterweights at 34, but to regain gold seems difficult in an already stacked division with new champion Makhachev plus upcoming contenders such as Prates and Michael Morales.
Edwards has been proposed by some of his competitors, such as Ian Machado Garry, to retire after such a brutal end. His other fans celebrate his legacy, citing his comeback knockout win over Usman at UFC 278 to be among the best in UFC history. Edwards is also given a medical suspension, which needs neurology clearance that may postpone his recovery.
The message by Edwards, despite the adversity, is one of gratitude and optimism. Today is a gift is close to the heart, as it is a reminder of how he came out of small roots in Birmingham to become a UFC superstar. Although there is no report of the time when he will fight again, there is an insider who suggests that he might take a long holiday to rejuvenate himself.
The current state of his career is 22-6, and his reign as champion is what made Edwards one of the most successful MMA stars in Britain. With the welterweight landscape shifting very fast, fans are itching to know whether or not the man, Rocky, will come back and concentrate on more legacy-building fights.
The post was immediately viral, and it received thousands of positive comments in favor of fans all over the world. These words of Edwards provide a hope that this punch, though violent, is not the last episode in his life.
