UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title against Charles Oliveira, but there’s speculation about a potential showdown with Leon Edwards. Former UFC fighter Ben Askren shares his assessment of this matchup.
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev’s Return: A Potential Showdown with Leon Edwards
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title against Charles Oliveira on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. However, before this announcement, there was uncertainty about Makhachev’s opponent. Makhachev expressed his desire for a superfight in the division above, specifically with welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards. Fans have shared their opinions on this potential matchup, but one prominent name in the sport disagrees with the sentiment.
During a recent discussion with Daniel Cormier on an episode of Funky & The Champ, former UFC fighter Ben Askren provided his assessment of a potential bout between Edwards and Makhachev. Askren pointed to Edwards’ success against Kamaru Usman as evidence that he could withstand Makhachev’s grappling attempts. Askren praised Edwards’ improvement and clean striking, stating that he would pick Edwards as the victor in this matchup.
Makhachev, however, must first focus on his upcoming title defense before considering a second weight class. He aims to solidify his grip on the lightweight belt with a second defense.
| Fighters | Result |
|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira | TBD |
Stay tuned for more updates on this potential showdown between Makhachev and Edwards.
reference: www.mmanews.com
