Surging UFC welterweight contender, Leon Edwards’ manager, Paradigm Sports Management agent, Tim Simpson remains confident that his client with land a championship re-run with promotional titleholder, Kamaru Usman before the close of this summer.
Leon Edwards, who has scored nine victories from his 10 most recent Octagon appearances, currently occupies the #3 rank in the official welterweight pile.
The Birmingham-based contender was slated to feature on the main card of UFC 269 back in December against rival, Jorge Masvidal in a grudge match, however, the latter was forced from proceedings due to an undisclosed injury.
Electing against remaining on the card against a short-notice replacement, Edwards maintained he would instead sit out and wait to secure a championship rematch this summer.
Initial reports suggested that Usman would attempt to hand Edwards a second career loss at an event this summer, however, the defending champion recently went under the knife in a bid to address a ligament injury to his right hand.
However, the aforenoted Simpson maintains confidence that Edwards will secure a bout against Usman this summer regardless of his recent surgery setback.
“I’ve been told that’s the plan (a summer rematch) pending on (Kamaru) Usman’s hand, but yeah, I believe so,” Tim Simpson said of a summer re-run during an appearance on The MMA Hour. “I don’t know the details on his hand. I saw the photo of the surgery, but I think so (that rematch happens in the summer). I can’t see anything disrupting that unless Kamaru’s (Usman) out a year or something and they’ve got to figure something out.”
UFC president, Dana White insisted Edwards would land the next title fight against Usman, and despite the constant rumblings and shadow of Khamzat Chimaev over the division, Simpson doubts the Chechnya native leapfrogs Edwards into a title opportunity.
“I don’t think that would happen,” Tim Simpson said. “He signed three bout agreements to fight Kamaru (Usman) was allegedly no one else would. I believe the UFC will do right by him, and those are the conversations I’ve had behind the scenes also. I’m confident that happens.”
Edwards most recently landed a unanimous decision victory against Stockton fan favorite, Nate Diaz in the first five round non-title, non-main event in the history of the promotion back in June at UFC 263.
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