Leon Edwards Eyes Title Comeback at UFC 322 in New York

NEW YORK – Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 322 on Saturday night, aiming to re-establish himself as a title contender. Edwards will face Brazilian fighter Carlos Prates in a pivotal three-round welterweight bout at Madison Square Garden.

This match marks a significant moment for Edwards, who seeks to bounce back from two consecutive losses. He has expressed his motivation to reclaim the welterweight title, hoping for a path to becoming a two-time champion by 2026.

“For me, my motivation now is just being a two-time world champion,” Edwards said during a media session in New York. He reflected on the resilience shown by other fighters, including Alexander Volkanovski, who have bounced back after losses to achieve greatness.

Edwards, known for his striking prowess, previously captured the title with a stunning upset against Kamaru Usman at UFC 278, further defending it against Usman in a close rematch at UFC 286. However, he faced disappointment in his most recent outings, suffering a decision loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 and a submission defeat to Sean Brady earlier this year.

“It’s all the normal feelings – frustration, annoyance – after a while, you can’t sit and mope about for too long,” Edwards acknowledged. “You still want to achieve other goals. So, you accept the loss and keep moving forward.”

For Saturday’s contest, Edwards sees a favorable stylistic match-up against Prates, emphasizing that it’s been a while since he faced a striker. “It’s just wrestlers, wrestlers, wrestlers!” he noted with excitement. Edwards believes competing against a pure striker will allow him to showcase his skills more freely.

Prates, who has a record of 22 wins and 7 losses, has been a rising contender in the welterweight division. He recently gained attention with a remarkable finish over Geoff Neal. The stakes are high for both fighters, as a victory could set them on a trajectory toward title contention.

As Edwards gears up for this crucial fight, he remains focused on executing his game plan and delivering a performance that will capture the attention of UFC president Dana White. He has laid out his vision for the future, which includes a fight in London next March and a potential title shot in the summer.

“I feel me going out there Saturday night and dominating Carlos will put me back where I feel I belong,” Edwards stated confidently.