Leon Edwards looking for statement win against no3 ranked welterweight Colby Covington
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00:00 How's it going?
00:01 How's fight week so far?
00:02 Good, good.
00:03 I've been here now for almost two weeks, so I've kind of got used to the Vegas time zones
00:15 and just enjoying fight week for what it is.
00:18 I guess, how's this one feel compared to the others?
00:21 Any different considering who you're going against, the moment?
00:26 Not really.
00:27 I think it feels bigger than the first, the one we fought for at Wartow.
00:31 I think that feels, for me anyway, that was more pressure on me.
00:36 I think this one, I'm already, I've solidified myself, like, more confidence that I can achieve
00:44 what I've achieved.
00:45 So going out there, fighting a guy in Cove, Covington, a guy that I don't really like,
00:50 I think it makes it easier in training camp, makes it easier to show up and compete.
00:55 How do you balance that, right, because on one hand you're going against a guy that's
00:58 kind of got the pro wrestling thing going on, but he's also, you know, we talked to
01:01 him a few minutes ago, he had all sorts of insults to hurl at you about being a quitter
01:05 and asking us to ask you what your IQ was and all this stuff, draped out in the Donald
01:10 Trump suit.
01:11 So how do you balance motivating yourself in a healthy way versus playing into the pro
01:17 wrestling game, so to speak?
01:21 Easy to be fair, because I think everyone knows he's playing like a character, right,
01:24 and even him after, like, when the fight was won, he's like, "Oh, I won't try and settle
01:28 a fight, bro."
01:29 You know what I mean?
01:30 So it's easier to take someone like that as a joke, you know, and that's what I'm able
01:36 to do, just take it for what it is.
01:38 He's a clown and just treat him as such, you know?
01:42 Separating his personality and the gimmick from his abilities, I guess, what do you see
01:47 now that you've gone through a training camp and really studied him?
01:50 He's not as good as everyone thinks, you know?
01:56 He's a guy that's been stopped before by TKO, been choked out before, been taken down before,
02:05 you know, so there's many ways that you can beat him.
02:08 He's just a normal fighter that's more scrappy, basically.
02:13 He's like Usbo, but more scrappy, basically, you know?
02:16 And me and my team came up with a great game plan to neutralize everyone who he's good
02:23 at, and my aim is to go out and take him out, you know?
02:27 I know when you won the--or when you last fought in March, you were kind of lukewarm
02:32 about him being the next challenge for you.
02:34 You said that, you know, that wasn't going to be the case.
02:37 Now that it's here, do you still feel like he really shouldn't be the guy on the other
02:42 side, like, if it was a just system?
02:44 Do you?
02:45 Do you think he's the guy?
02:46 I mean, it's--
02:47 Exactly right.
02:48 Balal certainly has a good case as well.
02:49 Yeah, exactly.
02:50 So, I was in--no one--I've seen no one in this room know why this fight's worth a title,
02:51 but we're here now, and none of that matters, you know?
02:52 Like I said, all that matters now is Saturday night, going out there, taking him out, and
02:53 focus fully on that, and that's it.
02:54 Whether he deserves it or not, it doesn't matter, because he's fighting anyway for the
02:55 belt, and that's my aim.
02:56 And I do want to get your reaction.
02:57 We got news recently that Balal is going to be weighing in as the backup.
02:58 I know he's been in the ring for a while.
02:59 He's been in the ring for a while.
03:00 Do you feel like that was the right move, and do you feel like he's going to be the
03:21 one that's next for you if you get through Colby?
03:23 Yeah, maybe.
03:24 Maybe.
03:25 But there's many guys that's been the backup for other cars and didn't end up fighting
03:30 for the world title, you know?
03:31 And let's say on Saturday night, one of the other guys did a mad standout performance.
03:38 Maybe you have to just skip Balal and put them in, you know?
03:41 So who knows?
03:42 But like I said, you've got to fight them all anyway.
03:45 So whoever comes first, it doesn't matter.
03:48 Leon, you mentioned about Colby being a character and how in the past he said to Kamari, "I'm
03:53 selling the fight," and stuff like that.
03:54 If he turns around to you and says, "I was only joking about that," do you sort of go,
03:58 "I get it, it's a character," or do you think, "Well, if you say those things, you're still
04:01 saying those things character or not?"
04:03 I don't know.
04:04 I don't know.
04:05 I just don't think I have to have a bear.
04:08 Maybe in Octagon, I was like, "Athletes, oh yeah, good fight."
04:13 But I wouldn't go to the club with him after.
04:18 There's two different guys.
04:19 I feel like even without fighting, we just wouldn't be friends anyway.
04:23 I think his mentality is different from my mentality.
04:26 His way of thinking is different from my way of thinking.
04:29 That's it.
04:30 We're just two different human beings.
04:31 He sells the fight.
04:32 I get paid.
04:33 We all get paid.
04:34 So it is what it is.
04:35 So you mentioned that you dislike him.
04:39 Is that like a, "This guy, personally, I really just can't stand him.
04:43 I hate him," or is it just like, "This guy annoys me"?
04:45 I don't hate him.
04:46 I don't know him like that to hate him.
04:47 I hate the character that he's playing.
04:48 I find it just strange that a grown-ass man is walking around with another grown-ass man
04:52 in his clothes.
04:53 It's just a weird thing.
04:57 I don't get it because I'm from different parts of the world from him.
05:00 That's his thing.
05:01 That's his thing, right?
05:02 Yeah, I feel bad for him.
05:03 Do you think just sort of, he's had these title shots, he got this title shot that you're
05:09 not sure he deserved.
05:10 Do you think after this one, you'll kind of prove that his time at the top of the division
05:13 is over and that he spent too long on the shelf?
05:19 I believe so.
05:20 I believe so.
05:21 I can't see him.
05:22 He's all turned on all the young guys coming up.
05:24 He's turned on all, everyone that used to offer him and sat out for two years.
05:29 Now I can't see him winning the belt and then fighting all the young up-and-comers.
05:32 I just can't see it happening.
05:34 I think when someone like that gets stuffed and added to them so easily all the time that
05:40 it feels like he can do that.
05:44 After BM, I truly believe he's either retired or moved down probably.
05:48 He keeps calling out Islam.
05:49 So let him go fight Islam, light weight.
05:52 The Bilal rematch, does that interest you?
05:54 We saw it play out and you were winning that fight before the eye poke and everything.
05:58 So does the rematch kind of interest you?
06:00 Or in a way do you almost feel like, I've done that already, I would rather fight other
06:05 people?
06:06 I don't know.
06:07 I'd love to fight other people probably, but like I said, I'd love to fight Bilal.
06:10 I'd fight Bilal.
06:11 I feel like I've proven that I'm way better than him anyway, just from that one round.
06:16 But yeah, if he's next, like I said, I'll happily engage in it and it's fine.
06:25 I believe that I'm going to fight him all anyway, so why not fight him all as a champion?
06:29 Why not fight him all as the king and make money for it, make pay-per-views for it?
06:34 Why not do it then?
06:35 So I'm going to fight him all anyway, so it doesn't matter who's next.
06:39 You mentioned, just a quick one for me, you mentioned his suit and everything, but Colby
06:42 was in here saying that if he does win that it's actually going to be Trump wrapping the
06:46 belt around his waist.
06:48 So what do you make of that?
06:49 I don't know.
06:50 I think the whole scenario is weird.
06:51 That's what I make of it.
06:52 I don't get the fascination with another man.
06:53 I don't get it.
06:54 I know he used to be the president and stuff, but he's no longer the president, so I don't
07:02 get what's going on.
07:04 I don't know.
07:05 It's just weird why he picked him just to be a character off the back of him.
07:09 I just don't get it.
07:10 And Trump wrapping nothing around his waist because he ain't getting the belt.
07:15 Trump has been to his heart's full when he's lost, so Trump can't fight for him.
07:20 Yeah, he just needs to grow up and go get a girlfriend or something.
07:25 You wouldn't want Rishi Sinha to put the belt around you, no?
07:28 Who?
07:29 You wouldn't want Rishi Sinha?
07:30 No.
07:31 Boris Johnson.
07:32 Boris Johnson.
07:33 It's equivalent to that, right?
07:34 It's like Boris could put a belt around me.
07:38 He's like, "Bro, no."
07:40 You know what I mean?
07:42 Leon down here.
07:44 Second headlining event in Las Vegas.
07:45 Obviously, the first one was COVID times, topping the bill of a massive card, arguably
07:51 the biggest card of the year.
07:52 Do you think this is the perfect opportunity for you to catapult yourself a bit more into
07:56 global superstardom?
07:57 Yeah, for sure.
07:58 I think Las Vegas is the place of dreams, right?
08:03 Everyone dreams to come here headline.
08:06 Like I said, it's my first time headlining in a sold-out arena in Las Vegas.
08:09 It's weird seeing myself in lights in Las Vegas.
08:12 Even though I've been there before, it was because of COVID.
08:15 I think, therefore, I can use this opportunity to prepare myself even more.
08:23 I was at the pinnacle of my career for getting the belt, but now it's my time to reign.
08:30 I know you said in the past you're a big Marvin Hagler fan.
08:32 Have you walked past Caesar's Palace where you fought Ray Leonard?
08:36 I went shopping there, actually, yesterday.
08:39 He's one of my icons and someone I greatly look up to.
08:45 He's an RIP.
08:48 Obviously, this is Colby's third crack at the welterweight title.
08:53 How satisfying will it be for you to slam the door in his face in terms of title contention
08:59 and potentially usher him into retirement?
09:01 I'm just focusing on me.
09:05 I'm not really focusing on this is Colby's last shot.
09:09 I know he ain't beating me.
09:10 That's the main thing.
09:11 If we're going to somewhere else to get a title shot, then fair play to him.
09:14 My aim is not beating me and that's it.
09:17 I don't care what he does with his career after that.
09:20 That's it.
09:21 What exactly makes Leon Edwards have the most aesthetic physique in the US?
09:29 I think it's the good waist.
09:31 The ratio from the waist to the shoulders to the back to the legs to the dick is just
09:35 perfect.
09:36 What have you made of all the new fans you've got from that?
09:42 You've got them on your Instagram.
09:43 Yeah, literally every post I put up is funny.
09:48 All my coaches are ripping into me about it.
09:52 It's all funny.
09:53 Any thoughts on career and bodybuilding after the SU?
09:56 Nah, hang on.
09:57 I wouldn't get fat if anything.
10:00 Putting yourself as number one, who would you put as number two?
10:02 Who's got the most aesthetic, other than your brother?
10:05 I don't know.
10:06 I don't really judge men by their bodies like that.
10:09 I don't know.
10:10 Leon, over here.
10:11 Obviously, I know you guys have a good relationship, but GSP is backing you this weekend.
10:16 How is it like hearing that from a legend like him who held that very belt that you
10:19 have now?
10:20 It means a lot.
10:21 He actually texted me the other night and gave me advice.
10:24 He's a great man.
10:26 He came to the UK before, went out at dinner.
10:29 I like a long chat.
10:31 For someone I consider the world record to be not just stingy with information, but also
10:39 willing to help and willing to give advice to young up-and-comers.
10:43 That's chasing for his record.
10:45 That's what I'm trying to do.
10:46 I'm trying to beat his record, trying to be the best of all time, and not being stingy
10:51 with it.
10:52 I think that shows the kind of person he is.
10:54 He's a great man.
10:55 I wish him well in his retirement.
10:58 With the MMA scene being the biggest it's ever been out in the UK, obviously you and
11:02 Tom now hold belts.
11:04 Does the win here help your case of potentially taking part in a stadium event out there?
11:08 Yes, 100%.
11:09 100%.
11:10 Like I said, having Tom now that went and took him out so quick, I think it only speaks
11:16 volume to mixed martial arts in the UK.
11:18 To have two champions at the same time, I think it's the perfect time to get a stadium show
11:23 done.
11:24 I think it's definitely earned it over the years and we definitely deserve it.
11:29 Yes, 100%.
11:31 Speaking of stadium events, you played in the Soccer Aid charity match.
11:34 You played as a goalkeeper in safety.
11:36 It didn't really go out the way you wanted it to.
11:38 How was that experience like playing in goal?
11:40 I think the whole experience was sick anyway.
11:43 It was such a good cause.
11:46 It was a much scarier result.
11:47 Everyone was charging towards you with the ball.
11:49 It was different.
11:51 I want to do it again next year because it was for a good cause.
11:55 It was fun.
11:56 You're an Aston Villa fan.
11:58 How happy are you seeing the run they're on right now in the Premier League?
12:01 I'm chuffed.
12:02 When I first came to the UK, I live in Aston, which is where Aston Villa is.
12:09 To see how well they're doing.
12:12 They were like the underdogs and now they're reigning.
12:15 It's similar to my story.
12:17 I'm happy for them for sure.
12:20 Would that be where you won the fight at the Villa Park?
12:23 Yeah, that was sick.
12:25 That could happen.
12:26 That was sick.
12:27 Yeah, definitely.
12:28 Awesome.
12:29 Thank you.
12:30 Leon, we know that you won the title in an epic comeback fashion.
12:36 You defended it making a statement.
12:39 Do you feel like that defense changed the conversation around you as a champion?
12:43 Yeah, for sure.
12:45 I think it definitely helped.
12:47 I think I was saying it was a fleet before when I knocked him out.
12:51 So when I went out there and beat him convincingly in my hometown,
12:55 I think that proved my case that I am as good as what you think I am.
13:00 So, yeah, I feel like this performance on Saturday night,
13:05 I think that's going to be my standout performance.
13:08 That's going to open eyes to confirmation of just how good I am.
13:15 Was it a breath of fresh air this camp not having to think about Kamaru Usman
13:19 after back-to-back camps with him on your mind?
13:22 Yeah, 100%.
13:24 I feel like it, even though I grew in the camps that I did with Kamaru,
13:30 it's good to have a fresh new opponent, similar stylistically kind of fight,
13:36 but a totally different person that you get to focus on and break down.
13:40 So it's perfect.
13:42 And it seems almost impossible to get away from all of Colby Covington's comments.
13:47 So do you take a "almost" in joining in and finding the humor
13:51 in all of the content he's producing?
13:53 Yeah, it's funny.
13:54 Like I said, the guy's a clown, and it's easy to--he just says random shit,
13:59 so it doesn't make sense to nothing.
14:02 He's talking just to talk, and it's easier to just deal with it and laugh at it.
14:10 Thank you.
14:12 Leon, I feel that obviously your grappling has been very underrated
14:17 through your UFC career, especially your work in the clinch.
14:20 Is that where you feel that you can be a little bit dominant in this fight
14:24 and kind of force Colby into a striking match?
14:27 I'm going in from a martial arts match, so I'm not trying to keep it on the feet
14:30 or on the ground or wherever.
14:32 I'm willing to go where the fight goes, and I feel like, like I said,
14:35 he's been taken down multiple times in the UFC.
14:37 He's been choked out in the UFC.
14:38 He's been hurt in the UFC, so why can't I do it?
14:41 I was the first guy to take Kamaru down, and then he caught me taking him down.
14:45 So a guy that can definitely be taken down, that's way smaller than me.
14:48 So once you feel my size and my strength and my power,
14:51 I think you're going to feel the difference.
14:54 You said that you wanted to retire Colby ahead of this fight.
14:58 We've not really seen you get that dark and talk about your opponents like that before.
15:01 What kind of draw drew out those comments?
15:07 Did I say I want to retire him?
15:08 I didn't think I said that.
15:09 I think someone asked me, "Would you retire after the fight?"
15:11 I was like, "Maybe," because I can't see him fighting younger guys that's coming up
15:16 because he's turned them all down already.
15:18 He's sat out for two years just not to fight them,
15:20 so I can't now see him winning the belt and being a very active champion
15:23 and fighting all the younger guys that's trying to come up and take his belt.
15:28 So if he does lose, I think he either walks away or move down to another weight class.
15:35 Last one from me.
15:36 Out of the two welterweight fights that you share on the card,
15:39 who do you think is standing out as your biggest opponent moving forward?
15:44 We'll see Saturday night.
15:45 We'll see Saturday night.
15:46 You might say our name today, then Saturday night will get panned out.
15:50 But you're no longer in the running.
15:54 Let's see Saturday night.
15:55 We'll see Saturday night and we'll go from there.
15:57 Thank you.
15:58 Leon, one question over here.
16:00 Got a lot of big personalities at the press conference tomorrow,
16:03 five of the guys on stage all ultimately want to fight you.
16:07 Mentally, how do you prepare to deal with all that in front of everybody?
16:11 It's good because my last fight I was the headline, you know,
16:13 so I had to like sell the cards.
16:15 I was in my hometown.
16:16 There was a lot of pressure on me, you know, so now I can sit back,
16:18 let them all bicker and talk shit and go out there and perform Saturday night.
16:24 So I feel like it would be an easy press conference for me
16:28 because Kobe chatting shit.
16:31 Who else?
16:33 Paddy, Paddy talks, Ian talks, they all talk, you know,
16:36 so I just chill, enjoy my time and bounce.
16:40 Thank you.
16:41 Leon down here, are you looking forward to finally facing off with Kobe
16:44 after all these years of him talking breeze?
16:47 Yeah, for sure, 100%.
16:48 I just want to just have a look at him and let him know that I'm coming in
16:53 to take him out, you know, and size him up.
16:56 I know he's way smaller than me, but I still want to see him in person.
16:59 You know, I've seen him before in London, but I would love to face off.
17:04 So it will be good to see him soon.
17:05 Cheers, man.
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