{"id":642057,"date":"2025-11-13T09:31:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T08:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=642057"},"modified":"2025-11-13T09:31:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T08:31:20","slug":"leon-edwards-plans-to-make-a-statement-against-carlos-prates-refuses-to-take-the-easy-route-at-ufc-322","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/leon-edwards-plans-to-make-a-statement-against-carlos-prates-refuses-to-take-the-easy-route-at-ufc-322\/","title":{"rendered":"Leon Edwards Plans To Make A Statement Against Carlos Prates; Refuses To Take The Easy Route At UFC 322"},"content":{"rendered":"

Losing a championship changes everything for a fighter overnight. The pressure disappears but so does the prestige and paychecks. Former champions face a brutal climb back to relevance. One loss can be explained away as a fluke. Two consecutive defeats start raising serious questions about decline. And Leon Edwards knows this reality all too well right now. <\/p>

The British fighter held the welterweight title after his stunning knockout of Kamaru Usman. He defended the belt successfully against Usman in their trilogy fight and then Colby Covington. But then Belal Muhammad took the title from him decisively. Sean Brady then beat Edwards in his next outing. Now Edwards stands at a crossroads in his career. He faces Carlos Prates at UFC 322 this weekend in what is a must-win situation. <\/p>

Leon Edwards Rejects The Wrestling Heavy Game Plan<\/h2>

Most fighters in Edwards’ position would play it safe. Prates is a dangerous striker with knockout power in both hands. The smart money says take him down early and often. Grind out a boring decision victory and live to fight another day. Edwards could easily lay on Prates for three rounds and secure a win. Ian Garry used this approach to neutralize Prates’ striking and win a decision.<\/p>

But the former champion isn’t interested in that approach whatsoever. He addressed this exact topic during UFC <\/a>322 media day. Edwards made it clear that wrestling Prates wouldn’t accomplish his bigger goals. Simply controlling a striker on the ground for fifteen minutes won’t fast-track him back to a title shot.<\/p>

“I could do that but I don’t think going in there and lying on him will get me back where I want to be faster”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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A post shared by FULL SEND MMA (@fullsend_mma)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>