“Became champ by magic” – Kamaru Usman warns Sean Strickland-like future for Leon Edwards

Having steeped the hill and doing what most other British peers couldn’t, Leon Edwards now faces a rare career slump. Unless he makes major changes, Edwards can slide down legacy-ruining runs like those of Chuck Liddell or even the great Anderson Silva. However, Edwards’ three-time foe Kamaru Usman has an even more varied take on it after UFC London.

UFC London event headliner Sean Brady choked out Edwards via fourth-round one-handed guillotine (1:39 mark). Leon Edwards blanked out for the first time in over 66 rounds in his pro career. The official stats have him logging no offense in round two. While he did have momentum in R3, he rather stumbled with a TD attempt. Kamaru Usman, who Rocky won the belt from, had some harsh critiques.

Usman thinks this won’t be a legacy-ruining mishap, as the rival just stumbled upon his reign. ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ fueled the thought that Edwards’ reign was a fluke, with gaping grappling-sized holes. He even iterated that much like Sean Strickland, such championship reigns come to an end if not worked upon. Case in point, Strickland practiced his teep-and-jab for the n^th time at UFC 312, and lost.

😬 Kamaru Usman reacts to Leon Edwards’ loss

“When you become champ by some form of MAGIC, you start feeling like “I’m the best” but you still have holes in your game”

“If you don’t take the time to clean that up, you won’t stay there very long, you saw it with Sean Strickland” pic.twitter.com/QhKCGxn7wb

— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 25, 2025

Others even think Edwards’ headshot-dead fame, shoot-first attitude made it easier to bank on a clinch at centerstage rather than drag it fence side. Once dumbed down for ‘pillow hands’, Brady delivered punishing ground-and-pounds after taking his back, with open area grapple.

Edwards does have the opportunity to get back into contention soon and reverse the script. With the new weekly update, he still ranks #3 top welterweight in the UFC athlete listings.

Who could Leon Edwards face next?

Former champs are on a low 1-6 bundle this 2025; Jiri Prochazka being the only one touting a win and putting the division on alert with a third-round TKO at UFC 311. ‘Rocky’ is also amongst these ex-champs who are yet to win. After UFC London, Leon Edwards needs a win and fast.

One name is Ian Machado Garry. The Irishman recently went to war against 170-pound top seed Shavkat Rakhmonov and lost. Last year, he entered the exclusive eight-O beginners club undefeated, but now has lost his zero. While he narrowly missed out on being a top contender, he got praise for his performance. Garry might refuse as he believes it warrants him top opportunities.

Nevertheless, he does have a history with Edwards. The Team Renegade MMA fighter did not keep it hush-hush that Garry allegedly had bad gym skills. His interpersonal etiquette came under fire, and the Irishman changed camps (Chute Boxe – led by Diego Lima and Charles Oliveira). A win over a big name like Leon Edwards might just be the push he needs.

Another name and a more realistic option would be Jorge Masvidal, scouting a way back into UFC pastures. He recently lost a 10-round majority decision for Fanmio. Back in 2019 at UFC London, he and ‘Gamebred’ got into a confrontation. The infamous ‘Three piece and a soda’ run-in is still a major MMA lore. Masvidal has gone up against common man Kamaru Usman before.

A fight with any of these 170-pounders, and then some, could put the Birmingham fighter into contention. Maybe not today or now at all, but soon. Manager Tim Simpson ought to make a case for a big matchup soon enough.

Related: Team Sean Strickland has hilarious reaction to Leon Edwards’ coach calling out ‘lackluster’ effort

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