Written by Ian Machado Garry | Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Ian Machado Garry has a solution for Leon Edwards’ recent struggles: Hang ‘em up.
The 27-year-old welterweight contender—currently ranked No. 5 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings—was asked for his opinion on the struggling Edwards during an interview with talkSPORT. Edwards, 33, suffered an ugly fourth-round submission loss to Sean Brady in the main event of UFC London this past March after being dominated for the majority of the contest.
It was a stunning fall from grace for Edwards, who was coming off a title fight loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in which he also showed little resistance. Seeing the English star lose in a headlining bout in his home country was a strong sign for Garry that Edwards might need to walk away from MMA competition.
“If I was Leon I’d be retiring,” Garry said. “He clearly doesn’t have the love for it anymore. Clearly doesn’t have the talent for it against the best young youth of the division. Just kick it in, say you were a world champion, and go off into the streets of Birmingham, tell the people story of what was, not what is.”
Edwards has fought since 2011 and it took him nine years to finally capture UFC gold. Despite his accomplishments, his recent back-to-back losses likely place him close to the back of the current contender line with fighters like Garry, Brady, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Joaquin Buckley, and Michael Morales making waves inside the octagon.
The welterweight title picture remains incredibly fluid with Muhammad having dropped the belt to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 this past May. Garry was the backup for that fight and though he wasn’t needed, he’s confident he would have left Montreal with gold around his waist if the opportunity arose.
“It should have come back in UFC 315 in Canada,” Garry said when asked when he expects to fight for a UFC title. “That’s the truth, it should have, but they decided to go with a guy who’s been out for a year and coming off a broken arm and not being active for a year, but that’s up to them as a business and they can do what they want.
“All I know is I was present for the world title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in Canada and had I fought that night, I would have a belt wrapped around my waist. That’s what I truly believe.”
TOP STORIES
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APEX. Fans aren’t happy with the current UFC product and the promotion’s precious UFC APEX is the target of much of their ire.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 316 Timeline.
UFC 316 Media Day.
How about another O’Malley pod?
The road back continues.
UFC Embedded.
Check out the UFC 316 pre-fight press conference at 5 p.m. ET.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
No Bets Barred. Jed Meshew gives you the best bets for the two title fights at UFC 316, plus the debut of former Bellator star Patchy Mix.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
The essential fight week schedule.
Live Combat Sport Schedule: 6/5 – 6/8
Complete schedule w/ fight cards, PPV & free live streams HERE:
▶️https://t.co/QMbsooOPfv#UFC316 #KeyshawnDeLosSantos #NakataniNishida #ACA187 #OpetaiaSqueo #ONEFightNight32 #BKFC75 #BRAVECF96 #EFC124 #FFC91 #WOW20 #WardleyHuni #FCC42 pic.twitter.com/iP14vBVbmG
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 4, 2025
Yes, Donn!
PFL MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
MMA “Fan-First” Ticket Pricing ️
Effective TODAY @PFLMMA new $25 starting ticket price tier for ALL events
Premium MMA has got too expensive, and PFL is listening to fans …
$25 PFL Fan-First Ticket Pricing #PFLMMA
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) June 4, 2025
Shoot for the moon and…
I have to stop joking on X.
UFC doesn’t have sense of humor pic.twitter.com/LsyYBd0GkM
— Azamat Bekoev (@AzamatBekoev) June 3, 2025
Last dance.
There’s always someone out there who will listen.
If you are struggling with any mental health disorders reach out to me, even if you just need me to listen, I will⚡️ pic.twitter.com/z7okV9F4BF
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) June 4, 2025
Motivation.
Burn.
“Ciryl Gane can’t even spell jiu-jitsu” is a fantastic quote by @moicanoufc LOL https://t.co/po9X0xl0V8
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) June 4, 2025
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Malcolm Wellmaker (9-0) vs. Kris Moutinho (14-6); UFC Atlanta, June 14
Patricio Pitbull (36-8) vs. Dan Ige (19-9); UFC 318, July 19
Amanda Ribas (12-6) vs. Tabatha Ricci (11-3); UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26
FINAL THOUGHTS
Who else is getting jazzed up for UFC 316? I know the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley rematch isn’t what fans are clamoring for and that many view Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison as a squash match (with the challenger doing the squashing!) but I’ve talked myself into these fights being both entertaining and having meaningful long-term implications for their divisions.
Maybe I’m just happy we’re not seeing the UFC APEX for a while?
(just kidding, you can see a fight in the APEX every week on The Ultimate Fighter 33!)
EXIT POLL
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