Leon Edwards, the current welterweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has expressed doubts about Michael Page’s ability to challenge for a title in the organization. Page, who recently suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ian Garry at UFC 303, made his Octagon debut with a win over Kevin Holland at UFC 299.
In an interview leading up to his title defense against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, Edwards acknowledged that a potential matchup with Page would be significant in the UK. However, he believes that Page may have missed his chance to climb the ranks and face top contenders like himself.
According to Edwards, if Page had defeated Garry and followed it up with a win over an elite contender like Shavkat Rakhmonov, he could have made a case for a title shot. But Edwards feels that Page’s late transition from Bellator to the UFC may have hindered his chances of reaching the top of the division.
Despite recognizing the potential for a historic matchup against Page, Edwards emphasizes the importance of earning a shot at the title through hard work and legitimate victories. He highlights the need for fighters to prove themselves by winning fights and positioning themselves for a title shot before calling for high-profile matchups.
In conclusion, while Edwards acknowledges the significance of a potential showdown with Page, he believes that Page must first establish himself as a top contender in the welterweight division before such a matchup can be considered one of the biggest fights in UFC history. Edwards stresses the importance of putting in the work and earning the right to compete for the title before engaging in talks of massive fights.