Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz 2? Not if Edwards’ coach has something to say about it.
As Dave Lovell prepares Edwards for his third protection of the welterweight title on this Saturday’s UFC 304 essential occasion, he took the time to speak to Submission Radio about Diaz just lately calling Edwards out for a rematch contained in the octagon.
Diaz just lately earned an in depth split-decision win in a boxing match in opposition to fellow MMA star Jorge Masvidal, and afterwards, the free agent recommended he might return to the UFC with a shot at welterweight gold in his sights. Edwards defeated Diaz by unanimous resolution at UFC 263 in June 2021, dominating Diaz for a lot of the combat earlier than being badly wobbled by a Diaz mixture in Spherical 5.
Lovell firmly shot down Diaz’s callout and recommended that Diaz concentrate on wrapping up his preventing profession as an alternative.
“It’s all a joke,” Lovell stated (transcription through Denis Shkuratov). “Leon ain’t acquired time for that Mickey Mouse enterprise proper now. Truthful play to him that Nate is making a living nonetheless and he’s nonetheless preventing, however me, personally, I feel he wants to go away the sport alone.
“He’s taken a little bit bit an excessive amount of punishment now. I do know it was solely boxing with Jorge, nevertheless it’s nonetheless taking its toll on him, you recognize? Bear in mind, this man’s acquired life after preventing and if he carries on the best way he’s, he’s not going to have a lot of a life. I like him and he’s an ideal man, however generally fighters must be saved from themselves. I feel Nate is a kind of circumstances.”
It’s no secret as to why the 39-year-old Diaz continues to combat, with he and Masvidal each cashing seven-figure checks for the July 6 boxing bout (although Diaz is at present suing promoter Fanmio, claiming he’s nonetheless owed one other $9 million). A UFC return would undoubtedly be profitable for Diaz, as effectively.
So long as the cash retains rolling in, Lovell doesn’t see Diaz retiring anytime quickly.
“Cash talks,” Lovell stated. “Clearly, they’re getting purses that they can’t refuse. It retains them nonetheless ticking, doesn’t it? For people who haven’t made use of their cash by their profession and perhaps have to hold onto this to rely to make some first rate change to perhaps put down for the longer term, perhaps that’s the one factor I see them doing it for. It’s solely only a money-based factor.
“Their finest preventing days are behind them, the world is aware of this, Jorge’s and Nate’s. That is just a few moneymaking scheme for them to maintain rolling and incomes a dwelling, mainly.”
On the subject of retirement, Lovell additionally touched upon how the middleweight panorama may look sooner or later ought to the time come for Edwards to maneuver as much as the 185-pound division. Although Edwards nonetheless has a number of notable up-and-coming welterweight contenders to fret about, he has spoken prior to now about sometime turning into a two-division champion.
If the time comes that Edwards vies for the middleweight title, Lovell hopes that Edwards’ good friend Israel Adesanya isn’t the one holding the title and that Adesanya can step away from preventing on his personal phrases.
“I don’t assume Israel, as a result of in all equity, I like him, once more, and Israel is my brother, however I feel he’s coming to type of just like the twilight of his profession now,” Lovell stated. “And if I used to be him, if he fights Dricus [du Plessis], perhaps win the title, defend it as soon as, and even simply win that title and retire as a result of he’s earned sufficient. He’s acquired nothing extra to show.
“I wouldn’t wish to see Leon combat Israel as a result of we’re all shut that manner, we’re all mates, so I wouldn’t wish to see that.”