UFC Champion Leon Edwards ready to defend welterweight title against Conor McGregor and thrash rival Jorge Masvidal

UFC champion Leon Edwards has opened the door to defending his title against Conor McGregor… and edging out rival Jorge Masvidal.

Edwards ousted Kamaru Usman to the top of the welterweight and pound-for-pound rankings with a stunning KO in August.

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The British star now sits handsomely as he plans his first defense of the 170lb title.

It comes after Paradigm Sports stablemate McGregor, 34, confirmed plans to move up for his return to welterweight.

Edwards, 30, told Sky Sports: “Conor would be someone who would be easy to do.

“We are run by the same management team. I think for me whoever comes comes, comes.”

McGregor has suffered consecutive losses at lightweight against Dustin Poirier, 33, the man he knocked out at featherweight in 2014.

The most recent came in their trilogy bout in July 2021 which ended in disaster for the Irishman who broke his leg in round one.

McGregor has since had surgery and was primed for a comeback fight set for next year.

Meanwhile, Edwards enjoyed overnight notoriety after a headbutt KO in the final round of his title fight against 35-year-old Usman.

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One man waiting in the wings is Masvidal, 37, who was involved in a backstage fight with Edwards in 2019.

The American lost twice on the spin to Usman and most recently to nemesis Colby Covington, 34, in March.

Edwards said: “Masvidal is someone I’m dying to have but because he’s losing all the time it’s difficult to make sense of it for the company.

“Also for the fans to sell it. I know it will probably sell as far as the backstory.”

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