Fabian Edwards: Tyron Woodley more interested ‘in becoming a rap star’ than fighting my brother Leon

Change of career?: Tyron Woodley
Getty Images
Tony Mogan1 November 2019

Fabian Edwards doesn’t believe his brother, Leon, will meet Tyron Woodley in January – insisting the former UFC welterweight champion is more interested "in becoming a rap star" than getting his title back.

Leon Edwards, ranked no.4 in the welterweight rankings, this week revealed he has been offered the Woodley fight – a bout that would serve as the co-main event for Conor McGregor’s proposed return to the Octagon on 18 January.

Woodley has not fought since losing his title to Kamaru Usman in March this year, with a hand injury shelving a proposed meeting with Robbie Lawler in June.

Edwards is on an eight-fight winning streak, sealing a unanimous win over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in July that propelled him into the top five of the 170lbs division.

Undefeated Fabian Edwards fights at Bellator London this month.
Bellator

A clash with Woodley would bring him one step closer to a world title challenge - but brother Fabian, who is set to co-headline Bellator London this month, doesn’t believe Woodley is up for the fight.

“I don’t think there is truth in that at the moment,” Edwards told Standard Sport. “The co-main event slot on the McGregor card [in January], that would do huge numbers but I don’t think Woodley is interested in fighting [Leon].

“I think he is more interested in trying to be a rap star or whatever. I can more than likely see a title shot probably March or April for my brother.”

Leon Edwards is now the highest ranked English fighter in the UFC.
PA

While Woodley remains the no.1 ranked fighter at welterweight behind champion Usman – who is set to defend his belt against Colby Covington at UFC 245 in December – Edwards questions his desire to get the belt back.

“Everyone that loses a title always campaigns to try and get that title back. But you can see he is not a man that wants it. Usman broke him. He doesn’t seem that he even wants to attempt to get that (title) again.”

Tickets to Bellator London are on sale and can be purchased online from axs.com/uk and Bellator.com

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