Leon Edwards has doubled down on his callout of Nate Diaz.<\/p>\n
Edwards, the UFC’s No. 3-ranked welterweight contender, was slated to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev has been forced out of the fight, marking the third consecutive time this matchup has fallen apart.<\/p>\n
In the wake of Chimaev’s withdrawal, Edwards has made it clear that he intends to stay on the March 13 card against a new opponent, having not fought since way back in July, 2019.<\/p>\n
According to his manager<\/a>, the priorities in terms of replacement opponents are Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington and Nate Diaz.<\/p>\n Speaking on Twitter on Friday morning, Edwards honed in on Diaz specifically.<\/p>\n Diaz recently partook in an interview with ESPN, during which he stated his desire to take on fighters on winning streaks, such as lightweight star Charles Oliveira<\/a>. However, he also expressed his disinterest in cutting down to the 155-pound lightweight limit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole lightweight division has been taking Ls. Every single one of them, except for what\u2019s-his-name who just beat [Tony] Ferguson,\u201d Diaz said, referencing Oliveira. \u201cThat\u2019s the guy right there. I\u2019ll fight that guy, that\u2019s who I\u2019ll fight.<\/p>\n \u201cI like the winners,\u201d Diaz added. \u201cI\u2019m a winner. I ain\u2019t lost to nobody.<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t fighting at \u201955,\u201d he said, sharing his hopes of fighting lightweight contenders at 170 pounds. \u201cThere ain\u2019t nobody at 170. When those guys grow up I\u2019ll fight somebody at 170. The \u201955 division has some guys in it. I like the Oliveira fight or the Dustin Poirier fight.”<\/p>\n Edwards pointed out that he seems to tick all of Diaz’s boxes, and dared the Californian to accept the fight on March 13.<\/p>\n Nate just dribbled for an hour about wanting to fight at 170 against winners… let\u2019s see it then @NateDiaz209<\/a>. 8 fight win streak and #3 in the world. Let\u2019s go if you still think you're a real one https:\/\/t.co\/PUaPfwtRPQ<\/a><\/p>\n — Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) February 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n