How Leon Edwards’ coach views potential Islam Makhachev matchup

Coach Dave Lovell believes UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev would battle with Leon Edwards’ dimension.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) has reiterated interest in moving up to problem welterweight champ Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC). The pair educated collectively years in the past at American Kickboxing Academy. With Edwards’ latest title defenses coming over standout wrestlers reminiscent of Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman, Lovell is assured that Edwards would be capable to deal with Makhachev’s grappling prowess.

“Leon’s had a really feel of him already as a result of again within the day, they have been at (American Kickboxing Academy) once they principally first began out their profession, they usually did have a bit wrestle, together with Khabib and the remainder of the boys,” Lovell instructed Submission Radio. “So you already know, Islam shifting as much as welter, would he be large enough? Would he have the identical impact that he has at his weight now? I don’t suppose so. Has he met a sharpshooter like Leon? No, he hasn’t. And once more, what can Islam carry to Leon? Dimension smart, Leon’s bodily larger than him. Outreaches him.

“So once more, he’s going to resort to what he is aware of, which is his wrestling. So it’s simply unlucky that you just have a look at the final guys Leon fought: Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers. Now Belal, wrestler. Islam, he’s not recognized for his putting. They’re recognized for his or her wrestling, and that’s principally – Leon’s enhancing. Folks don’t perceive, which is what I instructed Ariel Helwani within the final interview. He stated to me concerning the wrestling with Leon, and I stated that everyone simply might get shocked when Leon comes out in opposition to Colby and reveals Colby and Usman his high quality of wrestling, and he proved it to the world.”

Edwards will look to make his third title protection when he rematches Belal Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 304 headliner at Co-op Reside in Manchester, England.

Like Makhachev, Edwards additionally has his sights set on dual-champion standing, and Lovell sees that purpose as attainable.

“One step at a time,” Lovell stated. “But when that’s his plan, which isn’t a foul plan as a result of we’ve acquired just a few fighters which have achieved it and within the strategy of desirous to do it, so why ought to Leon be any completely different? He’s large enough that he may fill out to make a middleweight.

“I wouldn’t counsel he stays there, but when he can go up there and choose a combat the place he can get a title win after which transfer again all the way down to welterweight, effectively, that might be his dream to be truthful proper now. That’s his subsequent transfer. However, you already know, when that comes, we’ll look on clearly making that transfer.”

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