Welterweight fights are getting booked and many contenders are readying themselves for a second visit to the octagon in 2020. Injured fighters like Colby Covington are making a return to signal a ton of activity at the top of the division. However, Leon Edwards remains in limbo. 

‘Rocky’ hasn’t fought in almost 14 months and desperately needs to stay active to justify his #3 ranking in the UFC. As Jorge Masvidal, his preferred opponent, may fight Nate Diaz again, Edwards has turned his attention to the returning Nick Diaz. 

The fighter caught Daniel Cormier’s comments on DC & Helwani and agreed with the former UFC champion. He tweeted, “I agree with (Daniel Cormier) that’s the fight to make I would love to scrap with nick (Ariel Helwani) listen to the man.”

‘DC’ said, “Put Nick Diaz in there with Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards. This will be a great fight. If Nick Diaz can stop the run of ‘Rocky’ maybe Nick Diaz gets that title shot. I think that’s the fight, don’t do ‘Rocky’ like that, let him get a big-time fight.”

This came as Helwani opined Edwards take on Covington, Woodley, or even Stephen Thompson. However, Cormier isn’t on board with either of these names and remained steadfast in his wish to see ‘Rocky’ fight against Nick Diaz as it gives him the chance to beat a marquee name. 

Leon Edwards needs to put an exclamation mark on his winning streak

Edwards is unbeaten since 2016 and has the third-longest overall winning run at 170 pounds. This falls shy only of UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre and Kamaru Usman‘s tie of 12 in a row. 

However, in Edwards’ haul of eight, there is no standout welterweight name. Hence, Cormier presented an argument of how a Leon Edwards vs Nick Diaz fight served both fighters’ interests. 

He said, “Nick Diaz puts himself in a situation where he may earn a title fight with one big victory. Leon Edwards beats a name like Nick Diaz, there’s no more denying him. Because that’s what’s missing, you understand? That’s the only thing missing from Leon Edwards is that big beautiful shiny name that makes everybody take notice. I think the fight makes sense.”

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Read: Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz Troll Leon Edwards on Twitter

The name Nick Diaz could serve as the exclamation point ‘Rocky’ needs to be a challenger in 2021. However, it remains to be seen if the UFC elects to go down this path. It is a high-risk high reward match for Edwards who could see his efforts go up in smoke against an unranked fighter. 

What do you make of Daniel Cormier’s justification for the Nick Diaz vs Leon Edwards fight? Is this a wise decision on Edwards’ part to declare his readiness?