Leon Edwards faces 'self-doubt' battle to become UFC champion again after Sean Brady loss, says Michael Bisping
Published 24/03/2025 at 12:14 GMT
Leon Edwards suffered the first stoppage loss of his career as he was submitted in the fourth round of his UFC London showdown with Sean Brady. It was, however, Edwards' second defeat in a row, after surrendering his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad last summer. Michael Bisping told TNT Sports that Edwards could be his own toughest opponent in the coming months.
Highlights: Dominant Brady inflicts another defeat on Edwards
Video credit: TNT Sports
Michael Bisping says Leon Edwards faces a mental battle if he is to work himself back to the top of the sport.
He fell to his second successive defeat as he was beaten by American Sean Brady at UFC London, but it was the first time Edwards had suffered a stoppage loss.
He was submitted in the fourth round, with Brady ending the contest with a guillotine choke having out-grappled his opponent through the bout.
Edwards was returning to the Octagon for the first time since losing his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad in July 2024.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the fight, Bisping was joined by Nick Peet to discuss Edwards’ next steps after his latest disappointment.
"I tell you right now, he will not be short of suitors because everyone wants a piece of Leon Edwards right now because he looks like damaged goods," Peet said.
"The blueprint is clear for all to follow.
"The phone will be ringing off the hook from young, hungry fighters in that welterweight division that want that scalp on their record.
"I personally think Ian [Machado] Garry would be a great opponent next for Leon Edwards. Britain versus Ireland, all those connotations, I think that’s a great fight.
"A great fight for Ian Garry to get in the title mix, as well."
- Brady eyes title challenge after submitting Edwards
- Tearful McCann 'proud' of career after bowing out of MMA
- How Bannon recovered from 'head kick from hell' to snatch victory
Bisping was in agreement over what could prove to be an intriguing showdown.
"I like the Ian Garry match-up because I think Leon deserves to go out there and fight someone who’s going to give him a stylistically favourable match-up," he said.
"I don’t mean a winnable fight, I mean not a nightmare scenario where another guy is trying to take him down. I think the biggest opponent for Leon Edwards now though is going to be himself.
"Does he accept that, ‘Ok, I was just beaten by two really high-level grapplers. Maybe the two best grapplers in the division and I’m still 31 years old, I haven’t slowed down, I haven’t got injuries, I’m not riddled with arthritis and blind in one eye’.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/29/image-e0d1d695-808a-452a-99ed-8f1f208aeadc-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Leon Edwards has a hard task on his hands on Saturday night
Image credit: Getty Images
"Does he have the strength to say, ‘Hold on a minute, I’m going to rebuild myself’? Or does he succumb to the self-doubt because that starts to creep in now? You think, 'Right, I’ve earned lots of money, I’ve become the champion, I’ve travelled all over the world, I’m set up financially for life'.
"The danger of allowing that mindset to come in is very, very easy. I still see a world where Leon Edwards could potentially be in the title mix again. But he’s got to start getting some wins and he’s got to start finishing some people."
- - -
Watch and stream top UFC action live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement