Leon Edwards plans to make a statement against Donald Cerrone at UFC Singapore.
Is MMA veteran Donald Cerrone still a force to be reckoned with against the elite of the UFC’s welterweight division?
According to 26-year-old Leon Edwards, no.
Speaking to MMA Weekly’s Damon Martin ahead of his welterweight scrap with Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 132, ‘Rocky’ tipped his hat in respect to ‘Cowboy’ but believes the 35-year-old is ‘past his sell by date’ and is in for a rude awakening on Saturday.
“He was on a three fight losing streak until he beat his last opponent. I feel he’s past his sell by date,” Edwards said. “He’s done everything he needs to do in this sport. I know he’s a tough veteran. I know he can show up sometimes. I feel I’m way better than him everywhere the fight takes place. That’s all it is. I’m going to go out there and prove I’m the better fighter and he’s not on my level.”
Edwards, who cracked the top-fifteen with his first-round TKO of Peter Sobotta at UFC Fight Night 127, respects Cerrone’s accomplishments but has every intention of taking his ‘head off’ tomorrow morning.
“He’s a huge name. He’s a veteran of the sport. He’s been around for some time now. He was in the UFC when I first started my pro career,” Edwards said about his opponent. “He’s a big name. To get an opportunity to face him in Singapore is an honor for me but I’m going to put that aside.
“I’m going out there to take his head off. I’m happy he stepped up to the plate and I’m happy he gave me the opportunity but I’m going out there to take his head off.”
Cerrone, a longtime UFC fan favorite, was overpowered and knocked out by surging welterweight Darren Till last year in Gdansk, Poland. And Edwards, who is currently riding a five-fight win streak, believes the former UFC lightweight title challenger will be forced back to 155 lbs. after he physically dismantles him at Fight Night Singapore.
“I’ve not met a welterweight yet that can out power me. For a guy that’s coming up from lightweight to welterweight, I can’t see where he’ll have an advantage,” Edwards said. “I have the size over him, the reach over him, the power over him. I feel after this fight, I’ll put on a performance and he’ll be forced to go back down to lightweight and compete against them guys.
“He’s been in many wars in his career. He’s been stopped many times. I feel he’s past his prime and I don’t feel there’s nothing he can do now that’s going to change nothing. I feel 100-percent he’s past his prime.”
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards takes place tomorrow, June 23, at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore.
